Iroshini

Agriculture and Business Consultant

Agrofit • Self-employed

Jan 2020 - Present • 6 yrs 4 mos

I work as an independent Agriculture and Business Consultant, supporting agribusinesses, food-sector enterprises, sustainability-focused ventures, and emerging industries with research-driven insights and practical business solutions. My consulting combines academic research rigor with real-world industry analysis to help clients plan, grow, and make confident strategic decisions. Key Responsibilities: Conduct market research, feasibility studies, and sector analysis for agribusiness and food-related ventures Develop investor-ready business plans and strategic roadmaps Provide market intelligence and competitive analysis for local and export-oriented businesses Perform financial analysis, costing models, and funding-support documentation Advise startups and SMEs on business model development, scaling strategies, and risk mitigation Support sustainability and agriculture-focused projects with data-driven decision support Deliver clear reports, presentations, and actionable recommendations to clients Key Achievements & Impact (Since 2021) Successfully completed multiple feasibility studies for agribusiness and food-sector projects, supporting investment and startup decisions Helped clients validate business ideas using market data, demand analysis, and financial viability assessments Developed custom business plans used for funding discussions, grant applications, and internal planning Provided market intelligence insights that improved client positioning and competitive awareness Supported entrepreneurs in reducing risk and uncertainty through structured research and scenario analysis Applied sustainability and agriculture knowledge to align projects with long-term viability and market trends Built repeat-client relationships through reliable, part-time consulting support and clear communication

Business Consultant

FMCG • Part-time

Jun 2018 - Aug 2022 • 4 yrs 2 mos

I provide strategic and analytical consulting support to startups, SMEs, and individual entrepreneurs on a part-time basis. My work focuses on helping clients make data-driven decisions, improve operational efficiency, and achieve sustainable growth. Key Responsibilities: Conducted business diagnostics to identify performance gaps and growth opportunities Developed business strategies, action plans, and implementation roadmaps Prepared business plans, feasibility studies, and market research reports Analyzed financial data to support pricing, cost control, and profitability decisions Advised clients on process improvement and operational efficiency Provided one-on-one consulting sessions and written advisory reports

Research Officer

Department of Export Agriculture • Full-time

Feb 2016 - May 2018 • 2 yrs 3 mos

The DEA is responsible for research, development, extension, and regulation of Sri Lanka’s export agricultural crops, mainly: Spices: Pepper, Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, Cardamom Beverage crops: Coffee, Cocoa Main Responsibilities Crop Research & Development Conducting research on improved varieties, yield enhancement, and quality improvement Developing climate-resilient and disease-resistant crop varieties Research on soil fertility, agronomy, and sustainable farming practices Plant Protection Research on pest and disease management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for export crops Reducing chemical residues to meet export standards Post-Harvest & Quality Research Improving post-harvest handling Enhancing quality to meet international export requirements Value addition and processing research Extension & Technology Transfer Transferring research findings to farmers and extension officers Conducting training programs, workshops, and field demonstrations Preparing technical manuals and advisory reports Policy & Regulatory Support Supporting national export agriculture policies Assisting with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and certification programs Data Collection & Reporting Analyzing field data Writing research papers, progress reports, and recommendations