Environment News

Finlays estates in Passara, Uva Province earned the Rainforest Alliance certification for sustainable production, becoming the first company in Sri Lanka to be awarded this independent and transparent accreditation. Commenting on this achievement, Finlays Chairman Naresh Ratwatte stated, "This is an inspiring moment not only to Finlays, but to the entire Tea industry in Sri Lanka. This accreditation could serve as a catalyst for other companies to emulate what we have done. And it could not have come at a better time – just as the entire world is celebrating Biodiversity Day and Environment Day".

The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land use practices, business practices and consumer behaviour. The Rainforest Alliance certification indicates compliance with strict guidelines to protect the environment, wildlife, workers and local communities and requires a comprehensive process to achieve certification status. "It is Finlay’s commitment to secure a sustainable business and we consider accreditation to ethical certification as one way of demonstrating our core values. Finlay’s have been developing approaches to sustainable agriculture, using Rainforest Alliance standards since 1996 and are in the process of mapping out corporate sustainability goals until 2020", stated Ratwatte further.

Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance added, "We are absolutely delighted with Finlays continued commitment to sustainability, and welcome Sri Lanka's first Rainforest Alliance Certified tea estates. This is very exciting for the tea industry as a whole, where consumer demand for sustainably sourced goods continues to grow. The Rainforest Alliance certification programme assist farmers with improving their farming practices, which ultimately benefits the environment, improves productivity of the farms and significantly improves the quality of life of the farmers, farm workers and their families."

The Rainforest Alliance-certified estates in the Uva province now boast over 2,500 acres of new rubber and timber plantations in Finlay’s quest to manage land sustainably. The rocky and marginal tea land in the Passara Group has been replaced with rubber, and land with steeper terrain at a higher altitude has been converted to timber plantations. This has transformed the landscape into a green belt.

Trees and creepers planted in these fields will improve the soil structure. Integrated pest control systems have reduced the use of agrochemicals. With these initiatives, Naresh Ratwatte is confident that these soils will be suitable for tea planting again after a cycle or two with rubber and timber.

Converting part of the land into rubber and timber cultivations has created improved employment opportunities for those who were previously threatened by the decline in tea fields. Training programmes and the chance to improve agricultural skills through the introduction of a new crop has been a benefit to the community as both employees and local farmers collaborate to pass on skills and know-how to improve practices and livelihoods. As part of this programme Finlays has established commercial nurseries to supply farmers in surrounding villages with rubber and other tree saplings.

Naresh Ratwatte concluded by saying that, "The diversification into rubber and timber from tea, will also guarantee the economic sustainability of Finlays as a sustainable agribusiness."

The 5 Finlays estates in Passara total 4,122 hectares out of which 1,454 hectares is premium quality Uva tea. These estates have already commenced harvesting the young rubber plantations in Passara/Lunugala estates where production is expected to increase year on year when the newer plantings come into bearing.