Organic farming a challenging but rewarding industry - Saaraketha chairman

By Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

Passion and commitment will bring about success in any endeavour said Saaraketha (Pvt) Ltd., Chairman Prasanna Hettiarachchi who has sown the seeds for a vibrant organic farming industry in Sri Lanka.

"Agriculture has been my forte and I enjoy my work. My wife is a pillar of strength to develop the business" Hettiarachchi said. Being passionate about agriculture, this inspired the young and dynamic entrepreneur to venture into organic farming which is a challenging but rewarding industry.

Having worked for over 15 years for MAS Holdings and being a director of the blue-chip company, Hettiarachchi started his business with a three- and a-half acre model organic farm in Weeravila, Hambantota in 2008. "The business was not without storms but stood in good stead with the support of the people.It is a slow but steady venture. We are confident and we will reach our goal soon", Hettiarachchi said.

Saaraketha, meaning 'fertile field' is an organic farming company which empowers rural smallholder farmers to embrace sustainable methods of production.

Saaraketha has spread and today it has over 35 out-grower farmer clusters across the country and believes in sustainable growth where man and nature could co-exist in harmony.

"Our faith in sustainable agriculture fuels our passion to empower local farming communities with access to technology which will bring dignity to farming", Hettiarachchi said.

Certified as an organic farming business entity, Saaraketha exports fresh fruits,vegetables, heirloom, a variety of rice and spices to the Middle East, Europe and the Maldives.

The company will launch a home delivery service for discerning consumers with access to organic vegetables, fruits, spices, herbs and grains.

"We are poised to launch this service to cater to the nutritional needs of the family. We will initially offer the produce to consumers in Colombo, targetting health- conscious consumers", he said.

Saaraktha will initially start with a once-a- week delivery and then increase it based on demand. The company has developed its supply chain enabling it to procure products from all corners of the country. Frequent supplier audits ensures safe, quality and ethical produce.

Pix by Susantha Wijegunasekera

"With ethical trading and practices we look at transforming the agricultural landscape of the country by setting up entrepreneurial and commercially viable business models in the rural agriculture system", Hettiarachchi said.

Agriculture stands as a relic of the past. Saaraketha aims at restoring the glory of the country's traditional occupation. 'Our ultimate goal is to re-create the prosperity of the past centuries by transforming agriculture into an economically viable, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable source", he said.

Saaraketha works with many local and international institutions such as universities, research institutions, government departments and social organisations.

The company has colloborative ventures with the University of Colombo, Ruhuna and international universities such as the Old Dominian University, Carnegie Mellon University, Australia, Colorado State University, USA and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan.

"Agriculture must be commercially viable and farmers must approach it as a business", Hettiarachchi said.

Saaraketha harnesses the benefits of organic agro forestry as its primary means of business. Through this practice the company assures a commercially viable platform that allows users to reap maximum benefit with no damage to the environment. For centuries, appreciation of food has always gone hand in hand with awareness of where, who and how food is produced. This dimension to eating has been lost in today's mass marketing of food products.

Organic farming was the original type of agriculture which was practised for thousands of years. Forest gardening, a fully organic food production system which dates from prehistoric times is the world's oldest and most resilient agro-ecosystem.

Organic agriculture began more or less simultaneously in Central Europe and India. The British Botanist, Sir Albert Howard is

referred to as the father of modern organic agriculture.

The Government will promote organic agriculture which is less costly compared to chemical fertiliser which is hazardous to health.