📈 Planters’ Association 172nd AGM: New Leadership Proposes 5-Point Plan for Sector Revival

At the 172nd AGM of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PAC), newly appointed Chairman Shanaka Samaradiwakara outlined a five-point vision focusing on value addition, R&D, land-use/productivity, irrigation, and security of tenure to revive Sri Lanka's commercial agriculture. • Sector Overview & Financials: • Total agricultural exports grew from US$ 2.8 Bn in 2024 to US$ 3.1 Bn in 2025. • Value-added tea accounted for over 50% of total tea export volumes in 2025, driven mainly by Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs). • RPCs manage ~154,000 hectares (tea, rubber, oil palm, coconut), growing their capital base from Rs. 8 Bn (1995) to Rs. 108 Bn, with Rs. 290 Bn invested in replanting and modernization. • 5-Point Vision & Key Priorities: • Value Addition: Protect local high-value segments (matcha, green tea, artisanal tea) from unsold auction stock and competing imports. • Research & Development: Develop practical alternatives for crop protection and urgently address diseases impacting the rubber sector. • Land-Use & Protection: Safeguard diversified crop investments (oil palm, pepper, avocado) against unsupportive policies, crop theft, and wild animal damage. • Irrigation: Relax restrictions on groundwater use and tube well drilling to build climate resilience. • Tenure Security: Extend lease clarity to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and long-term financing for replanting. • Industry Challenges: • Estate workforce reduced to ~88,500 workers (10% of resident estate population), necessitating productivity-linked wage models alongside challenges like rising input costs and climate impact.