KIST, a brand with a heritage spanning more than 70 years and marketed by Cargills Food and Beverage Limited, has reached an important milestone in its Aloe Vera cultivation programme, with participating farmers delivering their first harvest to the KIST fruit processing facility in Kilinochchi.
The Aloe Vera cultivation initiative was introduced under a contract farming model aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices while creating long-term livelihood opportunities for farming communities in the Kilinochchi region.
Implemented with the support of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the programme seeks to empower 100 women farmers by providing essential cultivation equipment, technical knowledge and agricultural extension services. Farmers also receive financial assistance facilitated through Cargills Bank, with corporate guarantees from Cargills Food and Beverage Limited helping them access financing without the need for conventional collateral.
Under the initiative, KIST purchases harvested Aloe Vera at a pre-agreed price, providing farmers with a reliable and clearly defined route to market. The first harvest marks a significant step in the successful implementation of this contract farming model.
With ongoing technical guidance and supervision from the company, the average weight of an Aloe Vera leaf has increased from around 350 grams to approximately 500 grams. This improvement highlights the positive impact of enhanced cultivation techniques and improved farming practices.
Aloe Vera is widely valued for its cosmetic and medicinal applications, while growing consumer interest in natural health products continues to drive demand. The programme is expected to contribute to a stable local supply of Aloe Vera in Sri Lanka while strengthening domestic agricultural production and supporting rural farming communities.
Commenting on the initiative, Cargills Food and Beverage Limited Managing Director Arjuna Kumarasinghe said, “We will continue to encourage farmers to adopt high-tech agricultural practices to enhance productivity and increase output volumes, in order to better support the requirements of commercial fruit processing. This will strengthen the agricultural value chain and contribute to a more efficient and sustainable farming ecosystem.
“Through initiatives such as these, KIST remains committed to delivering its promise of Trusted Taste & Goodness while creating lasting value for farmers, consumers and the nation.”
FLIR and Marlbo Drive Smarter Maintenance Solutions for Sri Lankan Industries
Sri Lankan industries are being urged to embrace advanced condition monitoring technologies to detect equipment issues at an early stage and prevent costly breakdowns, as global technology company FLIR and its local partner, Marlbo Trading Company, deepen their collaboration.
The companies recently hosted a technical seminar for industry professionals on August 20 at Taj Samudra, Colombo, showcasing how thermal and acoustic imaging technologies can help businesses minimise unplanned downtime, enhance energy efficiency and generate measurable cost savings.
Organised by Marlbo under the theme ‘Condition Monitoring Using Thermography and Acoustic Imaging for Measurable ROI’, the seminar highlighted the growing importance of proactive and predictive maintenance as businesses increasingly focus on equipment reliability, operational continuity and efficiency.
The FLIR delegation included Bhaskar Lala, Sales Director – Instrumentation, FLIR India, and David Gambarte, APAC Condition Monitoring Specialist, Teledyne FLIR. Their participation enabled Sri Lankan industry professionals to gain insights into the latest advancements in condition monitoring and diagnostic technologies.
Thermal imaging was a key area of focus at the seminar, demonstrating how abnormal heat patterns can be identified as early indicators of electrical and mechanical faults before they develop into equipment failures. Acoustic imaging, meanwhile, can help detect problems that may remain unnoticed through conventional visual or routine inspections.
These technologies can be especially beneficial in compressed air systems, where undetected leaks can lead to substantial energy wastage and increased operating expenses.
As energy efficiency becomes an increasingly critical priority for Sri Lankan businesses, acoustic imaging offers a rapid and effective method of identifying compressed air leaks and assessing potential energy savings. By detecting and addressing such losses, companies can improve system performance while reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
KIST Strengthens Sustainable Aloe Vera Cultivation Efforts in Kilinochchi
