Sri Lanka’s Crysbro initiates programme to produce seed paddy
One of Sri Lanka’s leading poultry producers, Crysbro, has reportedly initiated a programme to produce seed paddy production in a bid to elevate the local rice production capacity.
Spread across a 1000-acre stretch of land in Kantale’s Suriyapura Village, Crysbro’s operations are supported by a state-of-the-art laboratory and technical facility set on the company’s farm in Kantale, the Daily FT newspaper reported recently.
Accordingly, Crysbro produces BG352, BG358, BG366, BW367 and BG300 varieties of seed paddy with prime focus on soil and water conservation, this mega project is operated in a strictly eco-friendly fashion.
“At the time of Crysbro’s massive investment in Kantale’s Suriyapura village, most of its residents did not have a permanent source of income and crop cultivation was limited to just one season of cultivation during the availability of rain water.
“However, Crysbro brought the village to life with the introduction of seed paddy production which brought employment opportunities and a steady source of income for most of the village’s residents,” Crysbro Senior Marketing Manager Amores Sellar has been quoted as saying in the news report.
According to the report, although Sri Lanka is self-sufficient in rice, the high cost of seed paddy is currently forcing numbers of farmers to move away from paddy cultivation to other, more viable crops and it was this realisation that had inspired Crysbro to produce and provide seed paddy to these farming communities at concessionary prices.
“Among the numerous other effects of the COVID-19 epidemic, was its hit on the food supply chain in the country. With the deep shortage of imported food items, people were forced to rely solely on local produce.
“This unforeseen crisis has inadvertently shed light on a looming problem of food security and has presented us with an opportunity to enforce Crysbro’s deep commitment to this cause by focusing our efforts on securing local rice production through seed paddy production,” he has added.
Crysbro is currently cultivating rice and maize on a large scale in the Mahiyanganaya, Moneragala and Anuradhapura areas.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka has given priority to the upliftment of the country’s agriculture sector in order to ensure self sufficiency as well as for exports. Therefore, business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector have seen a sudden expansion. The government of Sri Lanka has also offered many incentives including lands for agricultural ventures. Also, foreign businesses/investors could explore opportunities in providing Sri Lanka with latest technologies in the agriculture sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20200921/Z_1 |