DIMO Agribusinesses expands footprint in Sri Lanka with third Agri Techno Park
View(s):DIMO Agribusinesses, the agriculture arm of DIMO, recently officially unveiled its third Agri Techno Park in Lindula establishing its presence in the upcountry region.
Mr. Priyanga Dematawa explaining the process inside of a cultivation tunnel to the DIMO Management.
Located on the Hatton-Nuwara Eliya main road, this 25 acre multi-purpose property is equipped with tea plantation, cultivation tunnels, mushroom and vegetable production/processing facilities, a well-equipped tissue culture laboratory as well as dry and cold storage, DIMO said in a media release.
The existing two DIMO Agribusinesses Techno Parks are located in Dambulla (mid-country) and Nikaweratiya (low country) which mainly carry out research and development, seed production, farmer education and training activities. Having successfully ventured into the Agri inputs market, DIMO Agribusinesses established these Agri Techno parks as collection, processing and storage hubs to enter into the value adding business in the agriculture sector.
Expressing his views, Ranjith Pandithage – Chairman and Managing Director of DIMO, said: “This is a proud moment for DIMO as we are making another footprint in the value addition segment of the agriculture sector while changing the agriculture landscape in Sri Lanka.”
A few decades back DIMO entered the agriculture sector introducing agriculture machinery to the local market and then ventured into the agriculture inputs market. There is an immense potential for the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka and it is important for DIMO to make its presence in the agriculture value chain in the country, he said.
Outlining his plans, Priyanga Dematawa – General Manager – Agriculture Special Projects of DIMO stated, “The new Agri Techno Park will commence seed production, hybrid seed production, tissue culture plant production, mushroom production, production of vegetables, fruits, flowers and tea production soon”.
These Agri techno parks act as regional model farms for optimisation of technology in the agriculture sector and as technology transferring hubs for the farmer community in the respective region. They will be developed as research and development centres in the agriculture sector while introducing latest technologies in crop management and farming methods to the farmer community, providing farmer training/engagement to promote good agriculture practices.