Picture shows Hayleys Agro officers providing advisory and extension services to farmers

A catalytic role in helping Sri Lankan farmers improve yields and quality of both agri crops and livestock has enabled the agriculture sector companies of the Hayleys Group to sweep the boards at the annual National Agribusiness Council Awards 2008 for a third successive year.

Hayleys Agro Products Ltd (HAPL) and HJS Condiments Ltd, and Sunfrost Ltd won three Gold awards, one Silver and two Bronze awards at this year’s event, in yet another acknowledgement by their peers of the impact these companies have had on agriculture through milestone contributions to enhancing sustainability in the sector, the group said in a press release.

Hayleys Agro Products received two Golds, one for inputs in Agrochemicals/Fertiliser and one for Veterinary Care products, a Silver for Services and a Bronze for Import and Supply of Farm Machinery Equipment and Tools, while HJS took the Gold for Marketing and Sunfrost the Bronze for Services.
Among the noteworthy recent developments credited to Hayleys Agro Products is the introduction of the latest environment-friendly non-toxic pest control products for vegetables and paddy, the introduction of new crop-specific and soil-specific fertiliser blends and the introduction of new technology feed additives that improve the quality and production of milk and eggs.

“Our focus on economically, environmentally and socially sustainable agriculture through inputs that promote the concept of Integrated Pest Management and the use of organic crop protection products and more efficient fertilisers has already had a measurable impact on farming practices and yields,” said Rizvi Zaheed, Hayleys Group Director and Managing Director of Hayleys Agro. “As the older, more toxic crop protection products get phased out, Hayleys Agro has brought in leading edge new and Greener products from world leaders such as Bayer CropScience and Dow AgroScience.”

Meanwhile, the Gold award for Marketing won by HJS Condiments, acknowledges the company’s success in taking its products to new international markets. The largest fruit and vegetable exporter from Sri Lanka, HJS Condiments participated at the Anuga Fair 2007, and secured large orders for pickles in jars to new customers in Poland, Greece and Holland, Mr. Zaheed said.The company also secured the ‘Subway’ and ‘Burger King’ accounts in Japan to supply gherkins and has increased the number of markets to supply gherkin slices to McDonalds and Burger King, covering UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and entered the Egypt market to supply relish.

In the sphere of Veterinary Care, Hayleys Agro has introduced ‘Nutrisacc Powerpack’ a new technology product that enhances milk production in cows.