Import substitution:

Soya bean production to begin in NCP, NP

by Lalin Fernandopulle

CIC Agribusinesses will launch a soya bean production program with farmers in the North Central and Northern Provinces with two nucleus farms in Thalawa and Vellankulam, company sources said.

The company will launch the program as the Government is focused on import substitution through local production of supplementary crops such as chillies, Bombay onions, maize, soya and kurakkan.

"We have started producing high quality soya bean seeds which will be distributed among farmers with buy-back agreements. They will be provided technical know-how through special extension teams", the sources said.

Sri Lanka's current annual soya bean requirement is 170,000 mt. which is imported at a cost of Rs. 12 billion; only around 6,000 mt. of soya is produced in the country. CIC Agribusinesses plans to invest Rs.200 million on an oil extraction plant to add value to the soya production in the North Central Province which will provide direct employment to 30 people in the province.

"The company has invested Rs. 650 million on a milk processing centre to produce yoghurt, liquid milk and other dairy products. The centre will be commissioned in April. We have already set up 10 milk collection centres in the East, Wayamba and the North Central Province to collect 25,000 litres of milk a day with a 5000-farmer out-grower network," the sources said.

CIC Agribusinesses has signed agreements and commenced work in the UAE with the Lootah Group of companies, with an initial investment of Rs. 50 million to produce value added ornamental plants for urban beautification in the Middle East.

"The foliage division of the company will initially export small plants to support the joint venture in the UAE. Five acres of land have already been identified in Sharjah where value addition will be carried out and the product supplied to the Middle East market", sources said.

He said the Hingurakgoda farm was affected by the drought during the last season. "We have recovered and hope to produce around 100,000 bushels of certified seed paddy next year. Besides seed paddy, curd, banana and vegetables are produced at the Hingurakgoda farm which are supplied to local and export markets. Two new rice verities will be released after approval is obtained from the Government for the export market next year.

"The e-Department of Agriculture approved the import of sample seedlings of grapes for testing and we hope to start commercial cultivation next year", the sources said.

Soy bean or soya bean (Glycine max) is a species of legume native to East Asia. It is grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses. The plant is classed as an oilseed rather than a pulse by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.