Modernising Sri Lankan agriculture: HNB Sarusara to reach 30,000 farmers nationwide in 2025

HNB PLC, Sri Lanka’s largest private sector retail bank, announced the expansion of its groundbreaking HNB Sarusara initiative to empower 30,000 farmers across the island in the coming year. 

Launched under the theme: 'Empowering Agribusiness and Driving Economic Growth,' HNB Sarusara leverages cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and financial inclusion to revolutionize Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector. 

Building on its success in 2024, Sarusara will scale up its reach with targeted programs designed to uplift rural agripreneurs and foster the modernization of Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.

"Our vision is to create a thriving ecosystem that uplifts rural farmers, enabling them to adopt advanced, sustainable practices that increase productivity and income. For generations, farmers have undertaken the difficult and essential work of nourishing our nation. With Sarusara, HNB seeks to reward their invaluable contributions by transforming farmers into agripreneurs who can build stable, sustainable, thriving businesses. In this manner, we are not only modernizing farming but also empowering agripreneurs to play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery," HNB Managing Director/CEO Damith Pallewatte said.

HNB Sarusara has conducted transformative programs in key agricultural hubs, including Nochchiyagama, Tissamaharama, Embilipitiya, and most recently in Nuwara Eliya, with plans underway for a major event in Ampara in early 2025. 

These events, attended by thousands of farmers from each region, have offered innovative demonstrations on smart agriculture, precision farming techniques, and seed-to-shelf solutions while connecting participants with leading agribusiness providers.

“Since 1989, HNB has been actively engaged with these rural communities. Through long-standing programmes like HNB Gami Pubuduwa we have always strived to uplift their quality of life by nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship and facilitating access to finance, knowledge and new markets. Sarusara represents a vital strategic expansion of this mission, that is specifically focused on unlocking the true potential of Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector.” Pallewatte explained. 

The growing success of Sarusara is built on the foundations of the bank’s long-standing relationships with rural communities across every district of Sri Lanka. This in turn is fueled by the dedicated efforts of 200 HNB’s Microfinance Officers (MFOs), who embody the spirit of ‘barefoot banking,’ in their untiring 24x7 effort to meet with customers in even the most remote parts of the island, to provide essential banking services and support. 

Serving as mentors, advisors, and motivators, guide entrepreneurs in managing finances, MFOs are tasked with going out into communities and counseling families on effective budgeting, and financial management. This in turn inspires resilience at the grassroots, which has been especially valued during the challenges of the recent past. Their commitment builds profound trust, and they are often invited as honored guests to events of great personal significance like weddings and graduations—a testament to the bonds they nurture.

“These officers play a pivotal role in transforming lives. Ruwan, a farmer whose fields were destroyed by floods, found hope through his MFO’s support and now runs a thriving greenhouse business. Similarly, Shanthini, a widowed mother, started a tailoring business under her MFO’s guidance, securing a better future for her children. To be of service to them, our MFOs have been trained to seek holistic progress, and identify the potential in people, when others too often see only challenges.  

“By empowering individuals and families to dream bigger and work harder, they create tangible, positive change. Through every loan, saving scheme, and piece of advice, they build pathways to success. MFOs are the heart of their communities, and they embody HNB’s mission to be a true ‘Partner in Progress’ by transforming lives, nurturing economic growth, and inspiring hope. They remind us that banking is ultimately about empowering people and their dreams.” Pallewatte stated. 

As part of its objectives, Sarusara fosters partnerships with agribusinesses, offers training and exposure to new technologies, and facilitates access to local and global markets. With plans to host weekly programs and scale to 50 events by the end of 2025, Sarusara continues to demonstrate HNB’s commitment to empowering rural communities and driving innovation in the agricultural sector.

Through the Sarusara initiative, HNB aims to address the critical challenges faced by Sri Lanka’s farming communities, such as low productivity, limited mechanization, and outdated practices, while enabling financial inclusion. 

The program introduces smart farming techniques like IoT-based systems, predictive analytics, and automated farming solutions, empowering farmers with real-time insights to improve efficiency and profitability. 

Sarusara also provides a comprehensive platform - encompassing cutting-edge technology like IoT-based systems, renewable energy solutions, automated farming machinery, and modern financing tools – to customize the value offered to meet the needs of each small-scale agripreneur engaging with the programme.

With 254 customer centers, HNB stands as one of Sri Lanka's largest and most technologically innovative private sector banks. Most recently, the Bank was recognized as the Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka for the 14th consecutive year at the Asian Banker Global Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards 2024.

HNB was also recognized as ‘The Best Bank – Sri Lanka’ at the second Emerging Asia Banking Conclave and Awards, organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC). HNB’s accolades in 2024 also include recognition at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence, where it was named Best Bank in Sri Lanka and Best SMEs Bank in Sri Lanka.