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Department of Export Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation
Sri Lanka has been renowned for spices and beverage crops for centuries, but structured national efforts to develop them began in the 1950s. The first major push came in 1959 with coffee cultivation, followed by cocoa and other “minor export crops” in the 1960s and 70s as alternatives to uneconomic tea lands. With international support, research programs and crop diversification projects were launched, laying the foundation for a dedicated institution.
In 1972, the Department of Minor Export Crops was created, focusing on research, development, and farmer support. By 1992, it was formally established as the Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) through an Act of Parliament, recognizing its growing role in boosting export earnings and supporting rural livelihoods.
Today, the DEA operates research stations across the island, provides technical guidance, promotes Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and food safety standards, and supports farmers through schemes and training. Its mission remains clear: to increase production, improve quality, and strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in the global spice and export crop market while uplifting rural communities.
Planning and Implementation of an appropriate Research and Development Programme with the prime objective of earning more foreign exchange through enhancement of quality and quantity of Export Agricultural Crop Production for sustainable development of economic and social standards of all the stakeholders of the Export Agricultural Crop(EAC) sector while ensuring the safeguards to the environment
Planning and Implementation of an appropriate Research and Development Programme with the prime objective of earning more foreign exchange through enhancement of quality and quantity of Export Agricultural Crop Production for sustainable development of economic and social standards of all the stakeholders of the Export Agricultural Crop(EAC) sector while ensuring the safeguards to the environment
Excellence in Exports of Spices and Allied Products
Planning and Implementation of an appropriate Research and Development Programme with the prime objective of earning more foreign exchange through enhancement of quality and quantity of Export Agricultural Crop Production for sustainable development of economic and social standards of all the stakeholders of the Export Agricultural Crop(EAC) sector while ensuring the safeguards to the environment
Excellence in Exports of Spices and Allied Products
Sri Lanka has been renowned for spices and beverage crops for centuries, but structured national efforts to develop them began in the 1950s. The first major push came in 1959 with coffee cultivation, followed by cocoa and other “minor export crops” in the 1960s and 70s as alternatives to uneconomic tea lands. With international support, research programs and crop diversification projects were launched, laying the foundation for a dedicated institution.
In 1972, the Department of Minor Export Crops was created, focusing on research, development, and farmer support. By 1992, it was formally established as the Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) through an Act of Parliament, recognizing its growing role in boosting export earnings and supporting rural livelihoods.
Today, the DEA operates research stations across the island, provides technical guidance, promotes Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and food safety standards, and supports farmers through schemes and training. Its mission remains clear: to increase production, improve quality, and strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in the global spice and export crop market while uplifting rural communities.
Planning and Implementation of an appropriate Research and Development Programme with the prime objective of earning more foreign exchange through enhancement of quality and quantity of Export Agricultural Crop Production for sustainable development of economic and social standards of all the stakeholders of the Export Agricultural Crop(EAC) sector while ensuring the safeguards to the environment
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Backed by decades of experience in Sri Lanka’s export agriculture sector.
Practical guidance for growing pepper, coffee, cocoa, and more.
Promoting eco-friendly cultivation practices for a better future.
Access quality seeds and plants without breaking the bank.
We simplify export certification and plant quarantine processes.
Our Regional Officers and Extension teams are always ready to support etc.
The Promotion of Export Agriculture Crops Act No. 46 dated 22nd September 1992 of Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, embodies and gives statutory status to the functions and services mentioned below.
By supporting sustainable farming and export excellence, we help farmers thrive and take Sri Lanka’s crops to the world.
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