Juicy business for Ellawala mangoes

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Ellawala Exports is on a major expansion drive to increase their mango production by over 50 percent in the next two years.

Tom Ellawala with the TJC mangoes.

Chairman Suresh Ellawala said they are tieing up with the Mahaweli Authority to woo more of their farmers to grow 360,000 mango trees in 5,000 acres in the next two to three years. "We are looking at a yield of 2,800 metric tonnes from this," he said.

"Our objective is to help Sri Lanka to achieve their national target of exporting 18,000 metric tonnes of mangoes by 2016." This figure is currently at 1,500 metric tonnes.

The company which diversified from gem exports in 1992 to formulate Ellawala Horticulture (EH) was formed to take over and develop Dambewatana Farm, which was leased from the Mahaweli Authority in 1993.

At the time of the takeover the property was abandoned and in a state of severe disrepair.

The primary crop planted on the farm was mango, with lesser acreages of banana and rice.

He said this is one of the biggest mangoes grown in Sri Lanka weighing over 600 grams and is marketed at around Rs 500 overseas. "This is the variety we want to introduce to the Mahaweli settlement areas," he said.

This mango was created by his Father Tom Ellawala and agriculturist Juan Carlos of Philippines.

In keeping with the objectives of Ellawala Horticulture in making a contribution to the economic growth and well-being of the people of Sri Lanka, Ellawala Horticulture has chosen to propagate TJC mango plants and make them available to other growers.

Ellawala Exports will be providing the trees, fertiliser, technical knowhow and most importantly will also buy back the products ensuring a market and a self employment opportunity for the farmer.

He said a tree will have a life span of over 20 years and will bare fruit from three years.