Should optimise assets, not limit themselves to being solely agriculture businesses

By Bhathiya Bulumulla

Over the past three decades, the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) have established themselves as a critical stakeholder of Sri Lanka’s plantation industry.

The RPCs were formed in 1992, primarily with the intention of bringing in the private sector, to improve the efficiency of the country’s large-scale estates involved in the cultivation of tea, rubber and other plantation crops. However, it is evident that the RPCs have gone beyond this mandate and that their actions have elevated Sri Lanka’s entire plantation sector.

This is evidenced by the numerous global certifications obtained by the RPCs, which have been critical in enabling Ceylon Tea to earn a premium over its competitors in the international market. The RPCs also contribute significantly to the country’s economy, both as a major employer and a generator of export earnings.

However, the RPCs are now facing challenges on multiple fronts. It is evident that the RPCs cannot focus solely on the production of commodities, especially given Sri Lanka’s high production costs. To be financially sustainable and to continue to contribute to the country’s economy, the RPCs must adopt a different business model.

In order to do so, firstly, RPCs must no longer see themselves as being solely agriculture businesses nor should they limit themselves to the plantation sector alone. They should instead diversify in a manner that optimises the economic benefit of the assets under their management. Many forward-thinking RPCs were quick to come to this realisation, diversifying into sectors like renewable energy, other profitable plantation crops and commercial forestry, as far back as early 2000s.

RPC-led vertical and horizontal integration

The RPCs must consider the feasibility of both horizontal and vertical integration, as well as product and market diversification. Prudent use of this approach has already yielded lucrative dividends for several RPCs. For instance, some have diversified within the plantation sector, successfully tapping into the high-value market for spices. Others have diversified into other industries, with many RPCs investing in hydro and solar energy projects.

The RPCs should also think out-of-the-box in these instances. For examples my company, Elpitiya Plantations PLC, partnered with a foreign company, to develop a state-of-the art adventure park as well as to cultivate and market strawberries. We are also testing the feasibility of growing several other types of berries in Sri Lanka, given the lucrative market for the product. Similarly, we are also establishing cultivations for hass avocado, which has a relatively long shelf life and hence is suitable for exports, pineapple and as well as bamboo – both edible types and those which can be used for fabric production.

Such diversification is vital to improve long-term business sustainability and avoid the proverbial risk of ‘putting all eggs in one basket’. These are strategies which will not only benefit RPCs but also their employees and the wider economy. Diversification would create new employment opportunities which are more aligned with the aspirations of the youth, who do not wish to engage in tea plucking or other similar activities. Addition of new high-value exports can assist in diversifying Sri Lanka’s export portfolio, which has been largely stagnant.

In addition to diversification, adoption of mechanisation is also important, particularly in addressing the labour shortage and high production costs in RPC estates. While mechanical harvesting cannot be used in all areas, given especially that many tea fields are located on elevations/slopes, the RPCs are cultivating new tea fields in a manner that would make them well-suited for mechanised plucking. Besides plucking, mechanisation has been used widely in field activities to overcome labour shortage and to increase productivity.

Broad stakeholder collaboration essential

RPCs cannot make such sweeping changes unilaterally. We require the total support of policymakers and all industry stakeholders – including the trade unions and local politicians. We must work together to develop a visionary framework for these reforms. Crucially, these measures must also be presented to employees, and the general public, so that further reforms are undertaken on the basis of an informed majority consensus.

Policy consistency is critical to enable the RPCs to make business decisions with confidence. This has been an area of concern in the recent past – particularly in terms of policies on importation and usage of agro-chemicals, synthetic fertilizers and the cultivation of oil palm.