Food safety

I began my professional journey in Sri Lanka’s flourishing floriculture industry, focusing on European and Far Eastern markets. Over five years, I led research and development initiatives, pioneering non-conventional breeding methods that significantly advanced the sector. This foundation facilitated my transition into project and program management, where I have had the privilege of collaborating with governmental bodies and international funding organizations. A highlight of my career was playing a key role in the success of the National Agriculture Development Program (2003-2014), contributing to strategic planning, coordination, and execution, while bringing over two decades of diverse experience within Sri Lanka’s agricultural development sector. My professional journey has been shaped by multidisciplinary training, equipping me with expertise in project and program management, monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning in MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning), sustainable rural development, climate-smart agriculture, food and nutrition security, Agric value chain & SME developments,Results-Based Management (RBM), gender mainstreaming, and knowledge management, among other areas of competence. Since October 2015, I have had the privilege of coordinating multifaceted projects and programs for the EU Delegation in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, with a focus on integrated rural development. These initiatives span critical sectors such as agriculture ( agri- green), food and nutrition, local governance, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), SCP (Sustainable Consumption and Production), and Nature based tourism, all aimed at fostering positive, sustainable development. As I continue my professional path, I remain committed to leveraging my diverse expertise to drive impactful transformations across Sri Lanka’s evolving sectors, contributing meaningfully to sustainable development goals.

Alexandre Castellano.

Born in France on 16 May 1975.

Nationality: French and Italian

Education: MSc in Biology in Italy and MSc in Public Health Nutrition at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Position: from 2020 to date - DG ECHO Head of Office - Pretoria - South Africa - for the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region.

Previous positions: from 2000 to 2012 working with various NGOs dealing with emergencies and innovation technologies in seven African countries – from 2013 to 2016 policy officer with ECHO in the head quarter dealing with Food Assistance, Nutrition, Cash-Based Transfers and Innovations. From 2016 to 2020, ECHO Technical Assistant for the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region.

Key interest: Innovative Technologies applied to humanitarian response.

I hold a bachelor's degree in Agribusiness and a Master's Degree in Applied Geography and Spatial Development. 

Sector: 

Agrofood (Feed and Food)

Areas of expertise 

• Accreditation, Certification and Scheme Development
• Feed safety 
• Food safety 
• Governance
• Strategy
• Stakeholder Engagement - Capacity Building .

I have been directing the Israel Italy Chamber of Commerce for the past 13 years, the Chamber is an NGO recognized both by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and Israeli Ministry of Economy. I have been very active i incrementing exchange between Israel and Italy covering the science, diplomacy, economic, investments and innovations. The Chamber is part of a net of Italian Chambers all over the world. My speciality is to match critical problems to innovation, whether medical, agricultural, scientific, and fronteer innovation. I have been scouting for innovation for the major international multinationals.
In 2021 I was bestowed the title of Knight of the Italian Republic, by the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella.

Doctor in Policy Research and Practice, and Regional Focal Point for Europe, Central & South Asia at the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)