DIMO Agribusinesses expands footprint with third Agri Techno Park
DIMO Agribusinesses, the agriculture arm of DIMO, officially unveiled its third Agri Techno Park in Lindula establishing its presence in the up country region.
Located in the up-country wet zone on the Hatton-nuwara Eliya main road, this 25-acre multi-purpose property is equipped with tea plantation, cultivation tunnels, mushroom and vegetable production/processing facilities, wellequipped tissue culture laboratory as well as dry and cold storage.
The existing two DIMO Agribusinesses Techno Parks are located in Dambulla (mid-country) and Nikaweratiya (low country), mainly carry out research & development, seed production, farmer education and training activities. Having successfully ventured into the agri inputs market, DIMO Agribusinesses established these Agri Techno parks as collection, processing and storage hubs to enter into the value adding business in the agriculture sector.
Expressing his views, Ranjith Pandithage - Chairman & Managing Director of DIMO stated, “This is a proud moment for DIMO as we are making another footprint in the value addition segment of the Agriculture sector while changing the agriculture landscape in Sri Lanka”.
Few decades back DIMO entered into Agriculture sector introducing agriculture machinery to the local market and few years back we ventured into agriculture inputs market. There is an immense potential for Agriculture sector in Sri Lanka and it is important for DIMO to make its presence in the agriculture value chain in the country, he said.
Outlining his plans, Priyanga Dematawa - General Manager Agriculture Special Projects of DIMO stated, “The new Agri Techno Park will commence seed production, hybrid seed production, tissue culture plant production,mushroom production, production of vegetables, fruits, flowers and tea production soon”.
These Agritechno parks act as regional model farms for optimization of technology in the Agriculture sector and technology transferring hubs for the farmer community in the respective region.
They will be developed as research and development centres in the agriculture sector while introducing latest technologies in crop management and farming methods to the farmer community, providing farmer training/engagement to promote good agriculture practices.
DIMO Agribusinesses expects to develop a network of outgrowers in the region through this famer community for cultivating, fruits and vegetables. The company will collect the harvest from the outgrower network for further value addition and will produce the final products to both local and international markets, he added.
Plans are also under way to tie up with reputed foreign partners to strengthen the research and development process of these Agri Techno Parks.
Elaborating further, Dematawa added, “We are also planning to enter into Agri Tourism through these parks. With the growing number of tourists who are interested in agriculturewill have the chance tolearn and experience real agriculture and way of life surrounding itwhile staying in cabanas or holiday bungalows located inside these Agritechno Parks.we also plan to introduce roadside sales outlets to promote DIMO agri products.”
While coordinating regional level agriculture activities, all these Agri Techno Parks will also collaborate for national level activities too.