CIC fertilizers to produce 200 bushels of paddy per acre

by Lalin Fernandopulle

CIC Fertilizers, a pioneer in agri business in the country plans to develop the paddy sector this year targeting a yield of over 200 bushels per acre.

The current yield is 100 bushels per acre.

The company acquired the Hingurakgoda, Talawa and Pelwehera farms from the Government on a long term lease and yielded satisfactory results .

Over 200,000 bushels of seed paddy amounting to about one-third of the current market share are produced from the Talawa, Hingurakgoda and Pelwehera farms on 2,300 acres. Around 50 percent is produced in the farms and the remaining through outgrowers.

Chairman, CIC Fertilizers, B. R. L. Fernando said apart from the developments over the years the significant achievement was that the paddy yield has increased from 56 bushels per acre in 1998, at the time of the take over to 130 bushels per acre.

The Hingurakgoda, Pelwehera and Talawa seed paddy farms have been turned into commercially viable agricultural farms benefiting a larger segment of the farmer community in the area, he said.

General Manager, Human Resource and Corporate Affairs, CIC Fertilizers, Marlon Fernandopulle said over the years we have invested Rs. 100 million to develop the farms since we firmly believe that agriculture is a viable sector that could contribute immensely to the economy.

It is an accepted fact that profits from the agriculture business are minimum and has a high risk but this does not mean that it should be allowed to die a natural death, he said.

The company producing seed paddy, vegetables and fruits for the local and export markets provides employment to over 1,500 people of which 7,000 are in farms and 1,000 outgrowers. CIC Fertilizers tied up with the world's leading fruit producer Dole to produce papaya, banana and pineapple.

He said their aim is to make full use of the land and increase production by helping farmers to adopt proper practices, imparting technical know-how and providing the technology.

CIC Fertilizers manages poultry, dairy and piggery farms and sells milk, curd and eggs to leading supermarkets.

The company refurbished the Hingurakgoda Kanishta Vidyalaya and developed a water supply system for the school. English classes are conducted weekly for over 100 students and scholarships for ten grade five students are provided annually by the institute.

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