Workshop on value addition of spices

An assortment of Sri Lankan spices

The Spice Council with the objective of delivering the knowledge and scientific know-how on value addition of spices and to make the spice traders, exporters and growers aware of spice value addition organized a one day workshop at the In-Service Training Centre, Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) in Ukuwela, Matale recently.

The workshop was sponsored by Sri Lanka Export Development Board and assisted by Department of Export Agriculture. Chairman of Sri Lanka Export Development Board Anil Koswatte was the chief guest and Director, Department of Export Agriculture Lionel Gunarathne, Deputy Director (Technical) Y.M. Gunasingha, DEA research officers of the DEA Thusharee Liyanage and Sampath Induruwa and Senior Research Officer of Industrial Technology Institute K.R. Dayananda were present. D.A. Perera, Chairman, Fazal Mushin, Vice Chairman, Prof. Jayasiri Lankage, Secretary and Anver Chatoor, Member of the Board represented the Spice Council.

Commencing the workshop, the Chairman of the Spice Council and the Managing Director of EOAS International (Pvt) Ltd D.A. Perera, welcomed the participants and explained the objective of the workshop.

The Chief Guest Chairman of EDB Anil Koswatte, explained the measures taken by the Government to alleviate the present crisis which the spice industry faced. He commenced the contribution offered by the Spice Council on this regard.

Director of DEA Lional Gunarathne, outlined the assistance given by the Department for the progress of spice industry. A panel discussion was held before the workshop concluded. Participants were able to get immediate solutions for the problems faced by them and further clarifications on the production of value added spice products.