Research work on making sauce from Palmyra successfully completed

Entrepreneurs urged to take it to the next level

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

The  research team headed by Dr Anu Balasubramaniyan attached to the  Palmyra Research Institute Kaithady in Jaffna has developed a new Palmyra sauce using Palmyra pulp, for the first time in Sri Lanka.

The Research Institute is also working on developing the Palmyra pulp for making delicious cakes, chocolates and beverages for the export market.

“This new sauce will be introduced to the market through the manufacturer or a third party which would be a novel experience for local customers because earlier sauces were  manufactured from tomatoes and chillies. This new sauce will be an alternative for those currently available varieties,” Dr Balasubramaniyan told the Island Financial Review in Jaffna.

She said that this research work would help in expansion of research at the institute, thereby improving the production and productivity in the Northern and Eastern province and benefiting around sixty thousand families whose livelihood depends on palmyra either directly or indirectly.” Where the Palmyra industry in Jaffna district is concerned it has  over 3.5 million Palmyra trees and making Palmyra sauce from its pulp on a commercial basis  is possible for the people in Jaffna region,” Dr Balasubramaiyan said.

She said that the Research Institute functions under the Palmyra Development Board, and therefore, it could promote overseas markets, initially with India. The  Palmyra industry promotion drives to build a bridge of peace and co-existence between the North and the South to increase socioeconomic ties.

She also said that there is a growing demand in the foreign market for items such as household utensils like bags, baskets, waste paper baskets and brushes made out of palmyrah fiber and leaves, in addition to Palmyrah cake, chocolate and beverages.

“Our institution is prepared to help the youth interested in the Palmyra industry to become successful entrepreneurs by providing them with all necessary guidelines, technology and marketing facilities,” she said.

According to her, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka and the Palmyra Development Board have supported in establishing the Research Institute.