Ma’s Food provides sustainable future for agriculture in Sri Lanka

24 September 2015 06:30 pm - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Ma’s Food Processing (Pvt.) Ltd, a leading food manufacturer known for its commitment to the environment and the community for over 25 years, has been moving more and more of its products in line with organic farming and production principles over the last 10 years. This family-owned company prides itself in constantly working towards the betterment of its employees, suppliers and consumers.

The small-scale farmers are at the heart of the food production at Ma’s. The organisation gives first purchasing preference to small-scale farmers within the local community, thereby, providing sustainable trade to the local community. Ma’s initiated the formation of the Sustainable Agri-Farmers Enterprise Network (SAFENET) to assist small-scale farmers to reach international standard certifications of ‘Fair Trade’ and ‘Organic’. While the total costs of these international certifications are paid by Ma’s, this initiative has resulted in farmers being able to sell their produce at a higher price and ensured that a fair price is received throughout the year.

Ma’s has also invested in the health and safety of its producers and their workers by providing them with complementary occupational health and safety insurance. This is the first time that an organisation has provided such an insurance scheme for its farmers and their workers.

The company supports the education of the future generation by providing farmers’ children with their stationary requirement for the school year. Ma’s also supports the local communities of the farmer group by contributing to their social infrastructure. The organisation has been instrumental in restoring educational institutions that were nearing closure. In one such school, Ma’s provided and facilitated financial assistance to construct a library, children’s playground, canteen, an activity room and water and sanitation facilities. The local infrastructure projects initiated by Ma’s Foods were instrumental in bringing entire communities together as each household contributed to the success of the project by providing their time and labour.

In addition to its financial contributions, Ma’s has promoted organic farming and ethical trading in Sri Lanka by providing its internationally certified farmers with knowledge sharing and administrative assistance. Ma’s regularly imparts its expertise and guidance on organic farming, modern farming technology, good agricultural practices, documentation, financial planning and product quality knowledge to the producers of SAFENET. The farmers of who are members of this body also receive an occupational health and safety insurance cover to reduce the risk of families losing their livelihood due to work-related injury, which is currently being supported by Ma’s till SAFENET develops a sustainable system to take over this financial commitment.

They are also invited to participate in trainings on development planning. Administrative support to the members of SAFENET is provided by Ma’s extension officers who regularly visit the farmers to ensure their compliance of ‘Fair Trade’ and ‘Organic’ practices. A log book is maintained by each farmer and reviewed by the extension officer to measure compliance. The systemic maintenance of records in organic farming has also encouraged the younger generation to view farming as a sustainable livelihood.

The company has adopted a corporate social responsibility initiative for its employees which include providing them with accommodation. Where husband and wife are both employees of Ma’s, they are provided with married quarters for their families. In addition, all meals are provided free of charge by the company canteen. Over the past 20 years, Ma’s has invested in the education of its employees’ children by providing them with school books and supplies on an annual basis. Ma’s offers employment to all communities with no discrimination and have special allocations for differently abled persons and less employable persons.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Ma’s Food provides sustainable future for agriculture in Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident