Producer story for Fairtrade Fortnight
MA's Kitchen is based in Sri Lankan and creates a wide range of food solutions primarily using produce grown in Sri Lanka. Our manufacturing facility in Minuwangoda specialises in all things coconut milk. Coconuts are sourced directly from farmers in the south of the country. Our extension team works with the farmers to set up fair trade practices and in many situations organic agricultural systems.
In relation to climate change ain its current and future impact, the farmers are most greatly influenced by irregular rain patterns- fluctuating between no rain and too much rain. The farmers together with the farmer group and extension team have shared knowledge on practices on how to retain rainwater around the coconut trees using pits. These changes to farming practices do not completely eliminate the issues arising from irregular rain however, it does contribute positively to the overall crop outcome and little by little we can have a lasting impact.
MAs not only works at the farmer level to try and mitigate issues relating to climate change but actively at the manufacturing facility.
"Hi, My name is S.M. Premalatha, I'm a production supervisor and have been working with MA's for 9 years.
We regularly have awareness sessions on ways we can work to reduce our contribution to climate change. Mostly these trainings are reminding us about resource preservation and even small things like turning off lights, reducing water waste can have an overall impact.
We've also committed to an annual tree-planting program where we plant coconut, vegetables and other fruit trees.
We've replanted in areas which have been cleared to regreen the area surrounding the manufacturing facility."
During the last national tree planting day we have been focused on planting fruit/edible trees in the area surrounding the manufacturing facility. Not only are we increasing the vegetation in our area but we are also reducing the area's susceptibility to soil erosion. There is the added benefit of harvesting the trees which are used in the company canteen which provides meals to the factory workers.
We believe that many small activities will combine to contribute an overall meaningful effort as a company to combat the negative impacts of climate change in the future.
