Link Natural Sampath Bank partnership marks a significant step in strengthening rural agriculture by combining financial access, technical expertise, and assured markets. The initiative aims to improve farmer incomes while supporting sustainable cultivation across selected village communities in Sri Lanka.
Link Natural Sampath Bank partnership backs sustainable farming communities
Link Natural Products (Pvt.) Ltd and Sampath Bank have formalised a strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening agricultural development and uplifting rural livelihoods under the Sampath Saviya Agri-Entrepreneurship Development Programme. The partnership brings together agribusiness expertise and structured financial support to create sustainable, income-generating opportunities for farming communities.
A memorandum of understanding signed recently signals the start of a long-term initiative designed to enhance village economies through commercially viable and environmentally responsible agriculture. Both organisations have positioned the collaboration as a model for rural development that integrates cultivation knowledge, market access, and institutional backing.
The first phase of the programme will focus on transforming Kohombagaswewa and Ambulgaswewa into model agricultural hubs dedicated to cultivating high-value medicinal crops. These include Katuwelbatu, Elabatu, and other specialised varieties with established demand in the natural products sector. The pilot locations are expected to demonstrate the commercial and social viability of the approach before the programme expands to additional rural areas.
One of the core objectives of the initiative is to address the long-standing challenges faced by smallholder farmers, particularly limited access to consistent markets. Under the agreement, Link Natural Products will enter into structured buyback arrangements with participating farmers. This mechanism is expected to reduce income uncertainty, encourage long-term cultivation planning, and enable farmers to invest confidently in improving productivity.
Beyond market access, farmers will receive specialised training focused on crop management, quality standards, and sustainable farming techniques. The training component is designed to improve yields while maintaining environmental balance, especially important for medicinal and perennial crops that require careful cultivation practices.
Link Natural Products Chief Executive Officer Ashan Ransilige said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building profitable and sustainable farming ecosystems. He noted that combining technical guidance with guaranteed purchasing arrangements allows farmers to maximise the value of their crops while improving household incomes and strengthening village-level economies.
Sampath Bank will play a central coordinating role by connecting farming communities with Link Natural Products and ensuring smooth implementation at the grassroots level. The bank will also facilitate communication with farmers’ organisations and local stakeholders, helping align financial services with agricultural development goals.
Project monitoring will be conducted jointly, with regular progress reviews to assess outcomes and address operational challenges. Field inspections and cultivation supervision will be led by the Agriculture Division of Link Natural Products, ensuring adherence to quality standards and consistency across participating farms.
The partnership also aims to deliver broader social benefits. By promoting structured agricultural enterprises, the initiative seeks to encourage youth participation in farming, expand opportunities for women, and improve overall livelihood stability in selected rural areas. Stakeholders believe this integrated approach can help reposition agriculture as a viable and attractive economic activity.
Sampath Bank Chief Human Resource Transformation Officer Dr. Lalith Weragoda described the initiative as an investment in the long-term prosperity of rural communities. He emphasized that sustainable agriculture, supported by knowledge and reliable markets, can help villages evolve into thriving production centres rather than remaining dependent on subsistence farming.
In alignment with Sampath Bank’s development objectives, Link Natural Products will also introduce a sustainable medicinal perennial planting project. This component is intended to generate steady, long-term income while supporting responsible land use and environmental stewardship. Perennial crops offer farmers an additional revenue stream that complements annual cultivation cycles.
The Link Natural Sampath Bank partnership reflects a growing emphasis on private-sector collaboration in addressing rural development challenges. By aligning financial inclusion with agribusiness expertise, the initiative aims to deliver measurable economic outcomes while supporting sustainability and community resilience.
As the programme expands beyond its initial pilot locations, both organisations expect the model to contribute to a broader transformation of Sri Lanka’s rural agricultural landscape, where informed cultivation, secure markets, and institutional support work together to create lasting value.