Team GreenMayo Wins World Food Day Youth Innovation Challenge with Plant-Based Mayonnaise

Team GreenMayo has won Sri Lanka’s World Food Day Youth Innovation Challenge 2026 with OKRANAISE, a plant-based mayonnaise developed in response to the competition’s call for innovative solutions to food-system challenges.

The challenge was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and Hatton National Bank PLC. It brought together students from state and non-state higher education institutions to develop practical ideas addressing issues across agriculture, fisheries, nutrition, food systems and climate resilience.

Under the theme “Innovate Today – Nourish Tomorrow”, the competition attracted more than 200 registrations and over 100 submissions from 51 universities and higher education institutions across Sri Lanka.

Following several rounds of evaluation, 12 finalist teams were selected to develop their ideas into prototypes with expert guidance and mentoring. The teams presented their innovations to evaluators and showcased their solutions at the World Food Day 2026 celebration.

OKRANAISE secured the top position for Team GreenMayo, highlighting the potential of student-led innovation to introduce alternative food products and explore new approaches to food development.

The competition also provides opportunities for participants to advance their ideas beyond the initial presentation stage. According to the FAO, the ten leading solutions will receive continued mentoring to refine their prototypes and prepare for potential market entry.

Organisers also intend to connect participants with investors, businesses, technical specialists and other partners to support the practical application and commercial development of promising innovations.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya emphasised the importance of providing young people with opportunities to test their ideas and collaborate with partners as Sri Lanka addresses challenges in food and agriculture.

FAO Representative Vimlendra Sharan said the initiative demonstrated how students were applying science, technology and entrepreneurship to address food-system challenges. HNB Managing Director and Chief Executive Damith Pallewatte highlighted the role of private-sector involvement in helping promising concepts develop into viable solutions.

The challenge forms part of Sri Lanka’s World Food Day programme, linking students with government, academia and industry to encourage innovation and strengthen the country’s food systems.

Observed annually on October 16, World Food Day marks the founding of the FAO in 1945. The 2026 youth challenge placed student-led prototypes and their potential for further development at the heart of the celebrations.