CIC grows rice varieties for niche market exports

All is not lost for agriculture in this country with some top private companies like Chemical Industries (Colombo) Ltd (CIC) and Cargills (through Food City chain) making giant strides to show that this sector can generate profits.

CIC’s R & D division, the first of its kind in a Sri Lankan firm, is currently conducting experiments at its paddy fields at Hingurakkgoda and Pelwehera (Dambulla) to grow indigenous varieties of rice aimed at churning out high quality yielding, export products for niche overseas markets. The company already exports fruits (bananas) and vegetables to the Middle East and it has received orders from the US as well. Speaking to The Sunday Times FT CIC Group Chairman B.R.L Fernando said that the Head of Marketing of the company has held successful talks with potential American buyers towards this end. About 200 indigenous varieties of rice have been identified of which only some have the characteristics that offer export potential. The company has had some of its staff trained in China in growing hybrid rice and continues to grow some acreages of the promising varieties every cultivation season at its farms. The company has invested Rs 1 billion for the financial year 2007/ 2008 to diversify its value added agriculture production activities to ensure the country’s food security, he said. The R&D unit has three units which are headed by Dr. S. Abeygoonawardane, Dr. F. Sultan Bawa and Dr. Ishan Dias – all experts in agriculture.