CTC recognises excellence in farming at Farmer Appreciation Awards

Monday, 3 November 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) held their annual Farmer Appreciation Awards ceremony, which rewards the contribution of tobacco farmers, recently in Kandy. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abewardena graced the event as Chief Guest, while many other dignitaries from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture and other government agencies were also present.

All farmers who were recognised at CTC Farmer Appreciation Awards Held for the 10th consecutive year, the objective of the award ceremony is to recognise excellence and reward outstanding performances of the past crop year. This year, 78 farmers were rewarded in the categories of productivity, flavour, best productivity in green production and best productivity in Burley tobacco production. The 2013 awards also marked a special occasion as one farmer, T. G. Gunadasa, was granted a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the industry during the last 30 years.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Yapa Abewardena at the CTC Farmer Appreciation Awards While welcoming the gathering, the Head of Leaf at CTC, Chandana Pathiraja said: “Tobacco growing is a significant component of our supply chain. As such, we consider it our duty to ensure that our farmers get the recognition they deserve both for their contribution to the company’s success and for their unmatched contribution to the country’s economy.” He went on to say that as a company with over 80 years of experience in the agriculture field in Sri Lanka, CTC is in an excellent position and is willing to share its expertise and best practices with other agricultural sectors in the country.

CTC’s Supply Chain Director, Shah Mansoor Khalil at the Farmer Appreciation Awards CTC’s Supply Chain Director Shah Mansoor Khalil while addressing the gathering said: “The contribution tobacco farmers have made to business as well as to the rural and national economy over the years has been enormous. As a key stakeholder of the tobacco industry, the company stands committed to developing farmer livelihoods. We believe in ‘Farmer moments’, which for us means helping farmers enhance their lives and economic threshold.” Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, speaking at the event, said: “We recognise the support extended by CTC to its farmers. Conducting events such as this appreciation ceremony encourages farmers to perform better and deliver greater results. The company’s guidance also helps them to carry out cultivation in a sustainable manner and obtain more profits. I request CTC to explore opportunities to export leaf as it will help raise the profitability of the farmer even higher.” CTC has a long history in agriculture and the expertise provided by the company to farmers has improved both the quality of crops as well as yield. Farmers are often given opportunities to attend training sessions organised by CTC both locally and overseas in order to keep abreast with the latest techniques and technologies in farming. Through a robust method, CTC promotes the use of economically and environmentally-friendly agricultural practices, encouraging methods in which soil and water are conserved, the use of natural pest control techniques and the use of paddy husks as an alternative fuel for leaf curing. CTC’s interventions ensure the quality, yield and profitability of tobacco farmers.