Finlay's estates first to get rainforest certification

Finlay's estates in Passara, Uva Province earned The Rainforest Alliance certification for sustainable production, thus becoming the first company in Sri Lanka to be awarded this independent and transparent accreditation.

Finlay's Chairman Naresh Ratwatte said "This is an inspiring moment not only to Finlay's, but to the entire Tea industry in Sri Lanka.

This accreditation could serve as a catalyst for other companies to emulate what we have done.

And it could not have come at a better time just as the entire world is celebrating Biodiversity Day and Environment Day".

The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour.

The Rain Forest Alliance certification indicates compliance with strict guidelines to protect the environment, wildlife, workers and local communities and requires a comprehensive process to achieve certification status.

Ratwatte said, it is Finlay_s commitment to secure a sustainable business and we consider accreditation to ethical certification as one way of demonstrating the core values.

Finlay's have been developing approaches to sustainable agriculture, using Rainforest Alliance standards since 1996 and are in the process of mapping out corporate sustainability goals until 2020.

The Rainforest Alliance-certified estates in the Uva province now boast over 2,500 acres of new rubber and timber plantations in Finlay's quest to manage land sustainably.

The rocky and marginal tea land in the Passara Group have been replaced with rubber, and land with steeper terrain at a higher altitude has been converted to timber plantations.

This has transformed the landscape into a green belt.

Trees and creepers planted in these fields will improve the soil structure. Integrated pest control systems have reduced the use of agrochemicals.

With these initiatives, Naresh Ratwatte is confident that these soils will be suitable for tea planting again after a cycle or two with rubber and timber.

Converting part of the land into rubber and timber cultivations has created improved employment opportunities for those who were previously threatened by the decline in tea fields.

Training programmes and the chance to improve agricultural skills through the introduction of a new crop has been a benefit to the community as both employees and local farmers collaborate to pass on skills and know-how to improve practices and livelihoods.

As part of this programme Finlays has established commercial nurseries to supply farmers in surrounding villages with rubber and other tree saplings.

"It is now widely believed that natural forests sustain the most efficient moisture retention system and we believe that through the introduction of our rubber plantations we will help to improve the eco system in this region", said Naresh Ratwatte.

He also said that, "The diversification into rubber and timber from tea, will also guarantee the economic sustainability of Finlay's as a sustainable agribusiness."