Business
‘Colossal amounts of vegetables and fruits going waste in SL due to non-adoption of greenhouse technology’
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
Sri Lanka farmers should adopt more affordable high tech/mid tech farming methods, such as greenhouse cultivation, to increase yield and minimize post- harvest waste in fruit and vegetable produce, like in Netherlands, chairman, Agri Innovation and Lassana Group of companies Dr. Lasantha Malavige said.
“Netherlands being half the size of Sri Lanka, is the second largest fresh food exporter in the world. It adopts state- of- the- art technology, like the greenhouse concept, to ensure higher yields against environmental/climate and other external and internal changes, Malavige told the media at a function at the Hilton Colombo last week.
At the function Malavige announced that his company had entered into a partnership agreement with Ginegar India and Agrilast India, to open its doors to advanced green solutions for local farmers to ensure higher yield and safer food production for Sri Lanka.
Malavige went on to add: ‘Sri Lanka’s post- harvest waste of fresh fruit and vegetables is 35 percent to 40 percent while another 20 percent to 30 percent is considered to be of poor quality due to lack of proper knowledge among farmers of the relevant applications of chemicals and of the plants’ vulnerability to climate change due to the continued adoption by them of traditional farming methods.
‘At present the Netherlands has a greenhouse fresh food agriculture cultivation covering more than 40000 hectares but unfortunately Sri Lanka has less than 200 hectares to cultivate fresh food greenhouses. Due to non- use of technology used in the fresh food industry in our traditional farming methods, we incur low yields due to climate change and other external and internal factors.
“The adoption of greenhouse technology would empower local traditional farmers to produce high quality safe food at an affordable price for consumers. Apart from that, a kilogram of carrots costs more than Rs. 1000 in Sri Lanka, while in the UK it costs approximately one Sterling Pound, which is equivalent to Rs 408. This had happened due to irregular weather patterns or continuous rains and other farming deficiencies compounded by the adoption of traditional farming methods in Sri Lanka.
‘Lassana Agri Innovation guides farmers in choosing the right technological solution by moving away from traditional farming, offering advice, guidance and support for higher yields. For that purpose the company plans to launch a first in the country incubation and knowledge- sharing centre for hi-tech farming at its 7- hectare greenhouse facility in Divulapitiya.’
CEO Lassana Agri Innovations, Prasand Sanadeera, said that their Centre will empower new entrants and farmer entrepreneurs, doubling the extent of greenhouse cultivation every two years over the next decade.
‘With over 70 years of combined experience, Ginegar Agriplast has been a game changer in the agriculture sector, assisting over 250,000 farmers in India. The company is also renowned for top- notch farming products, including greenhouse covers, he added.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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