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ICEI, an overseas international organisation, and Ecowave, which is a local social enterprise, have successfully worked on areas of rural development and eco-tourism in Sri Lanka since 2005.
The latest news of their tireless efforts on achieving the project objectives and core mission of Ecowave comes in the form of a newly-built processing centre in Monaragala District in the Uva Province. It has further been supported by VEGA BIZ+ program.
The ‘Sri Lanka VEGA/BIZ+’ (Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance) scheme sponsored by the USAID is a program that promote seconomic growth in economically lagging districts in Sri Lanka and reduces income disparity in those regions.
Achieving another great milestone, inauguration of a specially constructed spice unit and bio fertiliser laboratory was held recently at New Industrial Zone located in Buttala. The ceremonial opening was attended by Ecowave Chairman Suresh De Mel with the patronage of ICEI Country Representative Cristina Palamini and VEGA BIZ+ program Chief of Party Michael Parr. USAID Acting Head of Mission Elisabeth Davnie Eston participated as Chief Guest.
Ecowave’s authentic spices and herbs manufactured under the brand Ecowave Spices processed with strict quality standards are available for local and the niche market. All the products are processed and packed naturally and under hygienic conditions to give the real taste and optimum benefits to customers.
The organisation is further expanding its capacity by establishing this spice processing plant and liquid bio-fertiliser manufacturing laboratory while achieving main project goals of developing eco-friendly agriculture among local farmers.
Addressing the media, Palamini mentioned that Sri Lanka, as a developing nation which has a history of traditional agriculture in the ancient past, could explore the great potential to pioneer into the area of sustainable agriculture as a beacon for the other developing countries.
“We are confident of this new venture and its capacity in the form of Ecowave spice processing unit and bio fertiliser laboratory, which will definitely assist and uplift livelihoods of Sri Lankan farmer community,” she added.
ICEI Marketing Officer Niroshana Karunaratne mentioned that everyone including the guests, participants and all the stakeholders deserved a big thank you for making the event a great success and colourful day.
Karunaratne further commented: “ICEI is assisting the Sri Lankan cultivators and farmers to regain this glorious past. Sustainable agriculture is not only working with nature and protecting the environment, but also a method of building a healthy nation. The combined efforts of everyone working at ICEI and Ecowave have successfully introduced eco-friendly agriculture concepts over the last 12 years in Sri Lanka.”
Ecowave has continued to work with small holder farmers in Monaragala and Ampara Districts who produce spice and other allied products such as pepper, turmeric, ginger and herbs, linking the value chains that have been developed to the market. The project also aims at shortening the producer-to-consumer chain, thus creating added value for the farmer community.
