Sri Lanka Fruits & Vegetable Producers’ Processors & Exporters Association

The Sri Lanka Fruits & Vegetable Producers’ Processors & Exporters Association which was inaugurated in 1986 under the auspicious of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board, the aim of the association was to bring together Producers’ Processors & Exporters.
The Main Objectives of the association is to assist the membership with the following

1. To reduce the cost of production in an effort to reduce prices
2. Increase national production resulting in the stabilization of prices and at the same time ensuring high quality.
3. Ensuring year round availability of produce through the practice of engaging in protected agriculture
4. To bring down the cost of freight to all destinations by creating an open-sky policy, theeby creating competition among airlines
5. To seek assistance from Government agencies to development the sector so that members could compete with other exporting countries.

The Association held one of the largest attended seminars in the country at “Waters Edge” resulting in more than 100 agricultural projects to begin around the country. The Associate members have since expended their activities to address other subjects such as:

1. Separate Terminal (“Green Channel” for perishable exports)
2. Volume measurements for freight charges
3. High Exchange conversion rates
4. Overdue VAT refunds
5. Air freight rates and handling charges
6. Availability of airline space
7. Customs surcharges
8. Subsidized fertilizer
9. Availability and release of agricultural lands
10. Micro finance
11. Establishment of support chains
12. Import of processing machinery and equipment
13. Import of hybrid seeds and planting material
14. Export restrictions for Sri Lanka produce
15. Training and Certification
16. Post harvest technology
17. Out grower farmer villages with pilot projects
18. Pilot project financing
19. Secure harvest buy-back arrangements
20. Introduction of Good Agricultural Practice
21. Introduction of poly tunnel, fertigation, irrigation systems etc.
22. Introduction of new varieties of fruit & salad vegetable
23. Interaction and coordination among various statutory agencies related to the industry for early redress of problems etc.

During the year, the President of the Association and the Ex-Co have been involved with stakeholders and statutory bodies to overcome the many present day hurdles faced by the industry. To say the least, the progressive momentum envisaged of the industry during the year has been at an acute standstill, due to the lack of opportunities and many hurdles placed before the Association.
The Association Secretariat had to also be temporarily discontinued due to want of office space as the Mahaweli Centre Office at Jawatte Road was requisitioned. The Association’s new website was also launched. The Association continues its affiliation with the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Executive Committee for 2008/2009

Mr Ismeth Mohamed (President), Mr Sarath de Silva (Immediate President), Mrs Dawn Austin, Mr Annas Junaid (Vice-President), Mr Zuraish Hashim (Hony.General Secretary), Mr S. Gnanasakndan (Hony.Treasurer), Mr Harsha Karunaratne (Hony.Asst.Secretary), Dr Upali Ranasinghe (Hony.Asst.Treasurer), Committee Members (Mr Ahamed Kabir, Mr Dilshan Fernando, Mr Jagath Fernando, Ms Indira Malwatta, Mr Infiyaz Mohamed, Mr Shanthi Wijesinghe)