The kithul industry in the Ratnapura district has developed into a high income generating industry by the Agriculture Ministry, with several product categories successfully reaching the shelves of international markets.

The assessment of the Small Scale Agri-Business Entrepreneurship Programme, carried out by the Agriculture Ministry, highlighted that under the kithul project, the industry has been developed to export product ranges to four key markets: South Korea, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and United States of America.

According to the ministry, the stakeholders contributing to kithul exports are able to generate a monthly income in excess of Rs.150,000.

Approximately 600 entrepreneurs currently engaged in the kithul industry in the Ratnapura district have become the beneficiaries of this project.