CBL Global Foods Limited, a subsidiary of the CBL Group, has teamed up with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to enhance the coconut industry by boosting productivity and market access for small and medium-scale farmers.
Supported by USAID’s CATALYZE Private Sector Development (PSD) food solutions initiative, this collaboration introduces advanced farming techniques to overcome longstanding productivity challenges. Recently, in Anuradhapura, CBL Global Foods signed a purchasing agreement with Rajarata Coconut Farmers’ Company Limited, enabling the company to source coconuts directly from farmers in Rajanganaya.
USAID/Sri Lanka and the Maldives’ Economic Growth Deputy Office Director, Dennis Wesner, and CBL Global Foods Chief Executive Officer, Randeewa Malalasooriya, attended the signing ceremony. CBL Global Foods plans to establish similar agreements with farmer companies in four additional locations across Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s coconut industry is currently facing a production gap, yielding only 3,000 million nuts annually against a national demand of 4,500 million. To address this issue, CBL Global Foods is implementing a SMART agriculture package that includes drip irrigation, balanced nutrition programs, and intercropping systems, with the ambitious goal of doubling productivity to 15,000 nuts per hectare within three years.
Targeting farmers in the North-Western, North-Central, and Northern provinces, this initiative aims to create a new “coconut triangle” in Sri Lanka. The project not only promises increased yields but also provides direct market access, fair pricing, and financial support through supply chain financing, ensuring timely payments to farmers.
Randeewa Malalasooriya expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with USAID on this transformative journey. At CBL Global Foods, we believe in empowering small and medium-scale coconut farmers with innovative tools and technology, significantly uplifting their productivity and livelihoods.”
Through USAID’s support, CBL Global Foods is working with 250 farmers in Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, and Killinochchi districts, equipping them with essential knowledge and establishing model farms to showcase the impact of these advanced practices. The initiative also aims to strengthen farmer associations to enhance primary processing and market access, creating a more integrated and efficient value chain.