30 September 2014 07:39 am Views - 253
Samaposha, the leading cereal brand of Plenty Foods (Pvt.) Ltd, a subsidiary of Ceylon Biscuits Ltd (CBL), received the prestigious Gold award for Large Scale Food Processors at National Agribusiness Awards 2014 organised by the National Agri Business Council (NAC), held at the BMICH, recently.
Samaposha, as the nation’s flagship cereal, is manufactured using only locally grown wholesome core ingredients. Over 8000 farmers throughout the island benefit from the effective programme by being involved in supplying the required raw materials for manufacturing of Samaposha. The ‘Backward Integration’ programme also significantly supports to uplift the living standards of the nation’s farming community whilst strengthening our agricultural economy.
Plenty Foods (Pvt.) Ltd operates not solely for profit but with manifold responsibility towards the well-being of their dedicated farmer community. Inaugurated by the organisation in 2012, ‘GoviPawula’ is its main corporate social responsibility initiative working towards enriching the lives of the rural farmers. The four sub projects under this scheme namely, ‘GoviSathuta’, ‘GoviSarana’, GoviDenuma’ and ‘Govi Arana’, work towards providing them assistance in times of need and supporting and strengthening their livelihoods.
Knowing the hardships faced by our sons of the soil, Plenty Foods (Pvt.) Ltd, through its programme, looks into the religious and spiritual needs of the farmer community too. Moreover, the organisation supports the farmer community with knowledge on farming and on protecting their harvest, scientific growing is also promoted and advice readily given.
Commenting on the strong relationship between the farmer community and Plenty Foods (Pvt.) Ltd, Director/CEO Shammi Karunaratne said, “Our organisation’s main objectives are not motivated solely by profit. We seek to involve and represent the farmers in a fair manner. Towards this we follow a specific programme. According to the ‘Forward Sales Contract’ agreement with the farmers, the company offers a price based on market rates. If there is an increase of price for raw materials at the time of purchasing, the company pays a higher price to the farmers for their crops.
From seed materials up to the purchasing point, the company offers many facilities including, providing inputs on loan basis, regular field visits by the field officers to ensure proper maintenance of the crop educating the farmers upon the importance of meeting high standards of required raw materials for manufacturing of Samaposha. The entire manufacturing process for Samaposha is carried out through an advance process using modern machinery retaining the wholesome goodness of the core ingredients supplied by the farmers.
Understanding the importance of protecting the health and well-being of the farmers, Plenty Foods (Pvt.) Ltd planned to add many branches to Govi Paula Programme for the benefits of the farmer community extending our support towards their health through ‘Govi Suwaya’ programme,” Karunaratne notes.
Providing all necessary nutrients from our very soil is a special aspect of Samaposha manufactured by Plenty Foods (Pvt.) Ltd. Its distribution extends throughout Sri Lanka and worldwide including over 25 countries winning the hearts of consumers globally. It remains grateful to both the farming community and its consumers for the trust that has been built over decades.