Financial Times

Sri Lanka's best farm prepares for seed paddy revolution
By Quintus Perera
Driving past the CIC seed farm at Pelvehera, Dambulla on the Habarana road, local and foreign travellers find it hard to resist stepping into the "Juiceez" centre and savouring the delicacy, aroma and freshness of fruit drinks prepared, plucked on the same day or often on the spot on trees grown in the farm.

On Tuesday last week, many travellers -seeking to quench their thirst or buy some fresh fruit - stood patiently while two females and a male clad in a pair of shorts and tee shirt behind the counter, cut the fruit and squeezed it into a thick pulp mixed with some water.

The Sunday Times FT team also walked into the "cool" spot seeking Priyanga Dematawa, Manager of the giant farm, who had been informed of the team's arrival.

We were in for a pleasant surprise for as we looked for a well-dressed, tie-clad manager among the crowd seeking a fresh fruit drink and asked for Dematawa at the counter, the man in shorts sheepishly grinned and identified himself as the one we were looking for. In clear contrast from a government servant running an institution of this magnitude, Dematawa showed complete humility in service in offering his assistance to the two girls, preparing the fruit drinks by cutting the fruits and crushing them and in the process even cutting his finger!

His action is testimony to the tremendous success of the entire place, the kind of managerial skills to be emulated for anyone seeking to be a "hands on" manager.

The 672-acre farm - CIC Agri-business (CICAB), part of CIC Fertilizers (Pvt) Ltd - has become a popular stopover for travellers to quench the thirst, buy fruit or relax for a while. It is also becoming a tourist attraction.

It is one of the best-managed farms in Sri Lanka and spreads on either side of the road. Once part of the ICI international chain, CIC (Chemical Industries Ceylon) is now a fully Sri Lankan quoted company. CIC in 1993 floated CIC Fertilizer with the acquisition of CTC (Ceylon Tobacco Co) Pohora. CIC ventured into farming in 1998 with the leasing of a 1,500-acre government farm at Hingurakgoda. Two years later, CIC leased the Pelvehera government farm - then neglected and a 'Mana' grass jungle.

Over the last few years however the Pelvehera 'Mana jungle has been converted into a well-nurtured farm utilizing modern technology to the maximum. The "Juiceez" centre is part of the CICAB and the drinks are made out of fruits grown in the farm such as Woodapple, Beli, Avocado, Orange, Melon, Papaya, Pineapple, Banana and the range goes on'. The farm also has a well-maintained garden, spaciously spread summer-houses and butterfly bridges across tiny ponds for toddlers to play on. Hundreds of homebound travellers make sure they buy their favourite fresh fruits from this spot as quality and freshness is guaranteed.

CIC Seeds (Pvt) Ltd is a national venture and a first of its kind in Sri Lanka committed to make a significant contribution towards the agricultural development in Sri Lanka. It is a leading provider of quality seeds and planting material. Its main business has been the supply of quality high yielding seed paddy, becoming the largest supplier of seed paddy in Sri Lanka. The cultivation of one acre of CIC seed paddy yields around 150 bushels and the production of seed paddy at CIC Pelvehera and Hingurakgoda has now increased to 200,000 bushels.

The company has 16 outlets and a widespread dealer network with seed paddy supplies delivered to the doorstep of the farmer all over the country, including the north and the east. The use of seed paddy in Sri Lanka is however small with only 15 percent of paddy cultivation covered by the use of seed paddy - as against conventional sowing methods - and out of this 30 percent of the seed is supplied by CIC. Seed paddy has distinct features such as high yielding, consistency of grain size, distinct colours, different varieties for different weather conditions, power to resist certain diseases, variation in the growing period etc in contrast to paddy normally sowed by the majority of farmers. In the seed paddy process, breeder seeds are first made in the government research centres. From the breeder seeds, foundation seeds are made, a tedious and careful process.

The Research Centres now release foundation seeds to CIC. The foundations seeds are then turned into 'registered seeds' and these seeds would also be released to selected farmers to grow seed paddy. This rotation takes place throughout while ensuring the distinct qualities of each variety of seed paddy. CICAB's main activity is the supply of seed paddy. The varieties the average farmer uses could give low yields to between 60 to 80 bushels per acre. On the Pelvehera farm, about 150 acres are cultivated with seed paddy. Dematawa said they can supply the country's total requirement of seed paddy if there is a demand.

In addition to 150 acres of paddy, the farm also has extensive land in which various fruits are grown. Dispelling doubts of the farmers here, CICAB has ventured into large scale pineapple growing and now the company is looking at the prospects of installing a plant to can the fruits for exports. Large extents of papaya, plantains, cashew nuts and mangoes are grown. The large plant nursery could provide various plants for the whole country. Pelvehera uses modern agricultural technologies but strictly on cost effectiveness and optimum yield. A 15,000-bird poultry farm is also maintained which would eventually increase to 40,000 chickens.

This agro-complex has also set up soil and plant analysis laboratory at a capital investment of Rs 18 million. Here soil is tested for its different nutrient values. Normal costs of such tests runs to a few thousand rupees and would take at least three to six months if it is done elsewhere. Here the basic cost for a soil test for a farmer is just Rs 500 against the normal cost of more than Rs 2,000 at a private lab while tests are completed in a week. The farm is equipped with cold storage facilities. It is a kind of a farm that is truly a one-stop-shop where agriculture inputs, fertilizer, chemicals, seed, micro irrigation items and all other green house items, plus the much needed advice and soil and plant testing are available to the farmer. While the main objective is to provide high quality seed paddy, the farm is also providing other useful services to the farmer community here.

Almost all workers at the farm are recruited from among local residents. There are about 100 persons working with the annual salary bill alone costing Rs 8 million. CIC has spent Rs 100 million for the development of the Pelvehera Farm alone but is confident of reaching break-even point by the end of this year as planned.

Agro-Bio-Tech, the main tissue culture lab which now operates in Nuwara-Eliya is to be moved to Pelvehera soon. CIC Agro-Advisory plays a very vital role providing vital advice on farming to anybody. It has teamed up with the Plastro International, Israel's global giant in affording a total solution for the battered farmer in the management and most economical use of water, the solutions with drip and micro irrigation systems. The latest technology introduced by the Division proves a great benefit to the Sri Lankan farmer and are being widely accepted for cultivation of horticultural crops, cash crops, ornamental crops and vegetables. It helps enhance micro irrigation system applications in Sri Lanka.

Dematawa, who runs the entire farm, its laboratories and research facilities, joined CIC while awaiting his GCE Advanced Level results. While working he acquired his university degree in agriculture and is now designated as Laboratory, Quality Control and Location Manager.

The methods tested and found successful in the Pelvehera Farm are all practically applicable by the average farmer and a high yield and high profits could be obtained even from a two-acre farm, keeping the overall cost at as low as possible.

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