Serendib Horticulture Technologies consolidates trade overseas
Indunil HEWAGE
 Serendib Horticulture Technologies, has now consolidated its
operations in Rwanda. Over the past 10 months, the company has exported
over 500,000 fruit plants to Rwanda. These are mainly local varieties of
fruits, Serendib Horticulture Technologies Chairman Dilip de Silva said.
Some of the local banana varieties that had been exported has now
begun to bear fruits and it is deemed to be of superior quality to the
local varieties available in Rwanda. The company has established a
demonstration plot along with the American collaborating company, which
is an example for the farmers to follow.
The company also displayed some of the Sri Lankan products at an
exhibition recently held in the capital city, Kigali. The company has
been hired as consultants to set up a tissue culture laboratory in
Rwanda in collaboration with the American company.
We are also looking at possibilities of expanding into neighboring
countries like Burundi and Uganda. Discussions are underway with these
countries for expansion of the industry, Silva said. The company’s
presence in the Middle –East is growing with project in Qatar, with the
Ministry of Environment. It is now looking at a long term partnership
with the ministry. Silva said it is very likely that the company will
sign an agreement for this very soon. The company has also been
approached by two other companies in the Mid-East to establish
biotechnology centers. Discussions are underway at the moment he said.
The company has started working with the farmers in Northern Province
through the Provincial Directors office in Jaffna. Fruit plants are
being distributed through the provincial government network. The company
is also looking partnering South Eastern University on plant
biotechnology through a donor agency.
We are interested in transferring knowledge to the Northern and the
Eastern provinces, so that the farmers in those areas will benefit
directly through these production facilities, Silva said.
“For the horticulture industry to progress, we need the support of
the government. Most companies who are engaged in horticulture
floriculture are now in the stage of expansion. If the government can
support these industries, it’s likely that we could be a hub for
horticulture in the region,” Silva said
|
