Financial Times

Sri Lankan pineapple-best in the world
By Quintus Perera
Twenty-five years of hard work by the Sri Lanka Fruit and Vegetable Producers, Processors and Exporters Association (FVPPEA) has enabled it to establish a name for Sri Lanka in the world as a resource for quality vegetable and fruits.

Annual turnover of vegetable and fruit exports stands at Rs 300 million. The association wants its members to double exports by requesting its membership to spread out to the vegetable and fruit growing areas in the provinces, instead of only working in the metropolis.

Members have been requested to set up their own model farms and start a farmer out-grower network serving a duel purpose of ensuring good prices for produce from rural vegetable and fruit farmers and at the same time enhance the country's national wealth through increased exports.

Sarath de Silva, FVPPEA President who himself has a farm in Embilipitiya, said that out of a 52-strong membership, more than six members have put up farms in the provinces and established a farmer out-grower network.

Tess Agro has put up a farm in the Mahaveli B area with a farmer out-grower network of around 600 farmers; Consolidated Business Systems has a farm and purchasing centres (forward contract) in Rajangana; Cecil Foods has set up a processing unit in Galgamuwa and purchases more than 1000 metric tons of vegetable and fruits annually while International Food Stuff Co (Pvt) Ltd has set up an up-to-date high-tech farm in Uda Walawe with complete drip irrigated nursery plant house and also a dehydration unit.

Silva, President of the Association for four consecutive years, said association members were involved in purchasing, processing and exporting vegetable and fruits. Some are exporting fresh produce. The main aim of the association has been to revive, motivate and activate exports.

He said members had to ensure only quality produce is exported, paving the way - for example - for Sri Lanka pineapple to be the finest in the world and creating high demand.

The task of the FVPPEA does not end after establishing modern farms but lies in the commitment to set up model farms and impart knowledge for farmers scattered all over the country on modern technology and the latest know on ensuring quality high yields at minimum cost. These farmers are also trained to cultivate market-oriented crops.

Silva said that to achieve high quality and high yields they are in the process of showing farmers the importance of using high-breed seed and planting material so that production could reach international standards. These processes would increase the yields fivefold, if deviated from the old traditional systems of cultivation.

He stressed the need to reduce post harvest losses which was now above 40 percent. Through the awareness campaigns and the use of modern packaging in transit the association has been able to bring it down to 30 percent.

Silva said that for the first time in Sri Lanka the Thai highbred Guava, highbred Indian drum sticks and Vietnamese dragon fruit were introduced at his farm and all of them have export orders. Highbred seed planting material would be propagated and distributed among the farmers through the out-grower network.

Unlike in the garment industry, local inputs for cultivation are more than 95 percent and the beneficiaries would be the small-scale farmers around the country. Excess production would be channeled to the local market.

Silva said if proper nursery practices are adopted, using the correct seed material and if drip irrigation system is used, it would not only greatly reduce the cost of production but also help conserve a large quantity of water.

Further, if the farmers could use poly tunnels they would be able to produce throughout the year high quality products that match international standards at reduced cost.

He said that current exports of more than 30,000 metric tons of pineapple per annum could be doubled if inter-cropping in coconut land is encouraged. At the correct price there is an unlimited export market for pineapple. "Our closest competitors in this area are India, South Africa, Australia and Kenya." Silva said adding that these countries provide strong competition as their farmers enjoy state subsidies for internal transport from the producing areas to the airport, power and also if drip irrigation is used.

Australia refunds a major portion of the airfare. In Kenya, its national carrier offers cheaper airfreight helping Kenyan beans to be sold in England and France.

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