Many ignorant of agro forestry and its benefits
Hemanthi GURUGE
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. |