A visit to Cargills Food City Pelawatte last weekend would have been a unique experience for any shopper. The Food City outlet was home to several small local businesses, all eager to showcase their products to the extensive customer base of Cargills. This event, called Cargills Village to Home, is a unique programme initiated by Cargills to support small businesses by connecting them directly to the market. The 32nd edition of the programme held on March 22nd and 23rd, saw several entrepreneurs showcasing a wide array of products, ranging from handicrafts to traditional homemade sweets. It also featured Avurudu (Sinhala & Tamil New Year) games and activities, creating a lively shopping atmosphere for customers.

A key feature of the Village to Home program is the opportunity it provides for small local businesses to set up monthly trade stalls at Cargills Food City outlets free of charge. Cargills covers all associated event expenses, including transport and logistics, allowing entrepreneurs to retain all income earned through the program. SMEs that demonstrate significant growth are given the opportunity to become listed suppliers at Cargills Food City, gaining access to markets across 540 locations. Additionally, Cargills Bank plays a vital role in supporting these entrepreneurs by offering banking services such as accounts, loans, card services, and financial literacy training.

Another inspiring aspect of the program is that it has brought a diverse group of entrepreneurs to market, including female entrepreneurs, youth-led businesses, and those with special abilities. Cargills has also expanded the program to the Northern Province, further enhancing opportunities for entrepreneurs across the country.

Speaking at the event, Ranjit Page, Deputy Chairman of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, reflected on the significance of the program:

“When markets were shut down during the pandemic, we thought about how best to support those who were most affected, especially small businesses. Cargills reached out to SMEs from different parts of the country and created the Village to Home program to connect small entrepreneurs with our customer base. We created space for them to earn an income, with no additional cost to the SME, and Cargills does not earn any income from this program. Building entrepreneurs was the need of the hour in August 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, and it continues to be the need of the hour today, because as we all know, SMEs are the engine of our economy.”

Mr. Page went on to say, “We share our expertise and know-how with these entrepreneurs, helping to launch their businesses. Some have even taken their products beyond the shores of Sri Lanka to export markets. I am proud to say we have given opportunities to over 1,300 small local businesses through this program over the last few years.”

“This opportunity has been life-changing for us,” said one local entrepreneur, whose family-run business has grown significantly since joining the Village to Home program. “Thanks to Cargills, we have learned how to package and market our products more effectively, and we are now reaching customers we never could have imagined.”

Dr. Dushni Weerakoon, Senior Economist and Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), and also an Independent Director of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, was among those present at the Village to Home program in Pelawatte, offering encouragement to the SMEs.

Cargills, once known for its four department stores in the early 1980s, has today evolved into a leading contributor to the national economy, with a presence that extends beyond retailing. The company is a significant contributor to the agriculture, dairy, and livestock sectors, creating supermarkets and factories that provide value-added opportunities for local producers. With over 12,000 team members, more than 70% of whom are under the age of 30, Cargills is also a leading employer of rural youth, building the skills of young talent across the country. The Village to Home program is a testament to Cargills’ philosophy of being more than just a business and developing entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka.