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Many ignorant of agro forestry and its benefits

Sadaharitha Plantation Limited is a member of Sadaharitha Group, a fully owned Sri Lankan entity incorporated in 2002 and is engaged in establishing and managing forestry plantations with an assurance of a harvest purchase back.

Sadaharitha also provides investment opportunities in various plantation projects like teak and sandalwood.

They are a market leader in the private commercial forestry plantation industry with vast experience. Sadaharitha Plantation is seen as the benchmark in timber growth and quality, holding its certifications above industry norms.

Sadaharitha Plantation was founded in August 2002 with a small 18-acre land extension of Mahogany at Waga. As a new dimension of expansion Sadaharitha diversified its business horizontally by establishing Sadaharitha Agri Investments, Sadaharitha Drip Irrigation System, Sadaharitha Agri Farm and Export and Asia Teas.


Sadaharitha Plantation Limited Chief Executive Director H.K Rohana. Picture by Thushara Fernando

Today Sadaharitha has more than 400 direct employees in their plantation and 2000 acres of forestry plantations, eight branch offices, 190 sales cadre and a cash inflow of averagely Rs 600 million of annual turnover.

In 2011, Sadaharitha received the prestigious ISO 14001 for its environment compliances.

Daily News Business interviewed the Sadaharitha Plantation Limited Chief Executive Director H.K Rohana this week for the 'Tea with CEO' column following the opening of this new venture.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: How is Sadaharitha Plantations overall business performance?

A: Sadaharitha Plantation Ltd has operated successfully in Sri Lanka for many years and has become a leading commercial forestry business in the country. It has recorded steady growth in the commercial forestry industry since 2002.

Sadaharitha Plantations Limited engages in establishment of forest plantations such as sandalwood and teak to generate investment opportunities for Sri Lankans and foreigners. At present the demand is very high for sandalwood and that can be used as an input in the cosmetics industry.

Q: What are the benefits of investing in commercial forestry?

A:Sadaharitha Plantation Ltd mainly focuses on planting teak and sandalwood to maintain sustainable forestry throughout the country. With the world's population and their living conditions on the rise, there's an ever-increasing demand for timber based products. Be it for building massive constructions or for manufacturing that tiny match you use everyday, this demand has far exceeded the tolerable levels of natural forests. There are various other environmental benefits because of these kinds of forestry projects. They include the reduction of pressure on natural forests, providing a sink for greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and prevention of soil erosion.

Q: How does your company fare in the commercial forestry industry in Sri Lanka?

A:Today Sadaharitha has earned a reputation in the commercial forestry industry in Sri Lanka with over 25,000 clients. Our product is unique and we provide better services to our customers and helps protect the environment. As an environment friendly business we are focusing on two areas including sustainable forestry and safeguarding the environment.

Q: What sort of investment plan does your company have in mind?

A:The Sadaharitha Plantation Ltd expects to build an agro tourism area on about 1,000 acres in Hambantota to promote tourism. Tourists will have experience with fresh fruits and vegetables. We are planning to export 50 to 60 percent of the harvest. Natural organic fertilizer will be used for growing vegetables and fruits at the agro tourism area.

Q: What are the biggest industry challenges you are facing today?

A:One of the biggest challenges is that many people are not aware about the industry and its benefits.

As an example sandalwood is new to the Sri Lankan market. Sandalwood is one of the most valuable timber sources with a high commercial value in the global market with growing demand far beyond the project supply for the future. Commercial scale cultivation of sandalwood yields high returns on investment due to the ever increasing market price.

Q: What is the process of conducting your business?

A:As a commercial forestry industry we are maintaining plantations at different locations such as Puttalam, Wanathawilluwa, Tangalle, Udawalawa area, Beragala, Diyaluma and others. We will prepare the land for plantation after land acquisition. Then, plants are transferred to the plantation from the nursery. Trees will be planted after checking the soil and water condition of the land. This land will be sold as 10 perch, 20 perch, and 40 perch blocks and above.

As a responsibility of the business we have to take all the risk to protect the customers. All the Sadaharitha lands are located close to the main roads.

Q: What should a customer consider to invest in the commercial forestry industry?

A:First of all the customer can visit the plantation and check the history of plantation and the strength of the company. Then he or she can study the growth pattern of a particular company.

Q: How do you implement insurance in this business?

A:The plantations are fully insured to further secure the investments of its valued customers.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests?

A:I love to travel. When I have time I visit many places in Sri Lanka such as Nuwara Eliya, Haputale, Anuradhapura and also travel overseas.

Q: What is your motto in life?

A:To give something back to Sri Lankan citizens and also promote action to safeguard nature.

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