Sustainability | Sustainable Plantation in Sri Lanka Kelani Valley Plantations PLC

Agroforestry

Mastering Ethical Way..

Kelani Valley Plantations PLC (KVPL) has developed a comprehensive documentary as the ESG famework, "KVPL's Corporate DNA", inspired by the Hayleys' Life Code to align with the Hayleys Group's ESG framework. This manual emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues to manage risks and opportunities, enhance stakeholder engagement, and ensure transparency. It outlines strategic objectives for financial growth, resource optimization, employee productivity, and cost reduction, while minimizing regulatory and legal risks. By integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) into its ESG strategies, KVPL promotes responsible corporate behavior and sustainable investing. This approach has positioned KVPL as an industry benchmark in sustainability, contributing to social development, sustainable financing, natural resource management, and robust governance.

Agroforestry

During the year, KVPL made significant strides with two pioneering initiatives focused on nature conservation and sustainable agriculture: the Biodiversity Intellectual Tourism Project and the Agroforestry Programme. The former is set to launch by year-end, while the Netherlands-funded Agroforestry Pilot Project yielded its first harvests of "Halgolla Rare" Tea and "Wild Coffee." KVPL will monitor the project's impact, collaborate with local communities and experts, reach new export markets, integrate social value creation, and share best practices.

One strategy to rejuvenate productivity and soil vitality is crop diversification through agroforestry. This sustainable model enhances productivity per unit of land by utilizing different crop species for commercial value, shade, and cover, maximizing land use.

The Halgolla Agroforestry Project, initiated by the Netherlands Embassy in Sri Lanka with the necessary funding and approval of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), aims to diversify plantations, rejuvenate productivity, provide environmental benefits, foster rural prosperity, and enhance community capacity and engagement. The Tea based Agroforestry pilot project involves collaboration with the Tea Research Institute, the faculty of Agriculture - University of Peradeniya, and Wageningen University and Research (WUR), coordinated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Sri Lanka. It seeks solutions for the declining competitiveness of tea and coconut plantations through interdisciplinary research.

In 2022, the Netherlands Embassy and RVO launched the "Agroforestry on Tea and Coconut Plantations in Sri Lanka" initiative, selecting the Halgolla estate for this pilot project for Tea. RVO, along with research institutes and universities, will make regular evaluations to refine strategies and maximize impact. Agroforestry aims to address challenges like land degradation, climate change, and market competitiveness, contributing to soil, water, and biodiversity conservation.

Key initiatives in the first year included improving tea bush productivity, diversifying with coffee, durian, arecanut, and kithul, and introducing honey bee boxes to enhance fruit yields and generate income. These efforts reflect a comprehensive commitment to sustainability through Triple Bottom Line impacts. Also, a value addition to the pilot proect is the 'Community Plot' where plantation community can be benefited for the daily food needs.

Intro to Halgolla Estate

Halgolla Estate is located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is situated approximately 25 kilometers southeast of the city of Kandy. The estate is nestled in the central highlands of Sri Lanka, surrounded by lush greenery and picturesque landscapes. Halgolla Estate experiences a subtropical highland climate. The average annual temperature ranges from 20Â°C to 25Â°C. The region receives a significant amount of rainfall, particularly during the southwest monsoon season from May to September. The estate covers a considerable land area, characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and tea plantations. The topography offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The land is predominantly covered with tea bushes, interspersed with patches of forests and open spaces. When developing lodging facilities and a biodiversity research center, it is important to consider and mitigate any potential environmental impacts. Measures such as sustainable construction practices, waste management systems, and conservation initiatives should be incorporated to ensure minimal disruption to the natural ecosystem.

In terms of variety of species identified in Halgolla estate, we can consider it a high-biodiversity region which also possesses a significant number of threatened species. As species go extinct, biodiversity goes down which causes problems in the surrounding ecosystem. And as it is a prominent and widespread issue, we think it is our responsibility to conserve the biodiversity as human beings. To make it everyone's responsibility, it requires a range of measures.

Follow up visit by the Scientists from Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Faculty of Agriculture - University of Peradeniya, Netherlands & International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Sri Lanka at Halgolla Estate for Netherlands funded Agro-Forestry in Tea Project.

Site observation by faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), RVO & The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Sri Lanka
Land preparation for Agroforestry
Selection of crop varieties Eg: coffee, durian, arecanut, avocado, pepper
Continuous awareness on Agroforestry
Periodic observation by RVO, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya & IUCN Sri Lanka
Add-ons to Agroforestry; kithul, bee honey

The Way Forward Tea Based Agroforestry Strategy in Halgolla Estate

We have expanded our Agroforestry project to include external community development. The packaging material for 'Halgolla Rare' Tea is crafted from Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth/Japanese Jabara), and the tag is made from Giant Mimosa pulp. Both materials are sourced from invasive plants in Sri Lanka, with the Giant Mimosa obtained from a rural community in the Anuradhapura district.