Haycarb PLC, a leading producer of activated carbon derived from coconut shells, is collaborating with the Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) to enhance its coconut farming initiative in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province. This effort aims to bolster local agricultural communities while reinforcing the sustainability of the country’s coconut supply chain.
As part of the Hayleys Group, Haycarb’s engagement with coconut growers in the Batticaloa and Ampara regions illustrates the Group’s commitment to generating long-term economic benefits that extend beyond its immediate supply network into the surrounding communities.
This new initiative builds upon a successful collaboration between Haycarb and the CCB that took place in the Northern Province from 2023 to 2024, where 100,000 coconut seedlings were distributed, achieving an impressive survival rate of 80 to 85 percent. Following CCB’s identification of suitable areas, Haycarb has now selected Batticaloa and Ampara for its expansion efforts, with plans to distribute 65,000 seedlings by the end of 2026.
Submit Your Press Release
Get your company news, announcements, launches, appointments and events in front of a wider audience.
Since the start of 2025, this program has benefited 784 farmers in the aforementioned districts by providing 35,786 coconut seedlings across a total of 559 acres.
Coconut shells are essential for Haycarb’s activated carbon production, making the enhancement of coconut farming critical for the long-term sustainability of the company’s raw material supply. This initiative effectively links the livelihoods of farmers with agricultural growth, aligned with Haycarb’s commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable practices.
The project also addresses various challenges confronting coconut farming in Sri Lanka, such as aging plantations, inadequate replanting, water shortages, climate change impacts, and human-wildlife conflicts. These issues are particularly pressing in parts of the Eastern Province, where farmers face both environmental and practical barriers to establishing new plantations. The program’s field assessments integrate farmer feedback with district data to provide tailored support.
Farmers are adapting to these challenges through localized techniques such as moisture retention and soil enhancement to facilitate the growth of young coconut trees.
Under this partnership, CCB’s regional offices identify qualified farmers with the help of coconut development officers, confirm land ownership, and coordinate the logistics of seedling distribution alongside offering technical advice on fertilizers, pest control, and irrigation. Farmers receive CCB-certified coconut seedlings at no cost and are responsible for their maintenance, with the trees expected to begin producing fruit after around five years and to remain productive for over six decades.
This collaboration exemplifies how partnerships between the private sector and public institutions can enhance agricultural resilience, especially in areas facing heightened environmental and resource-related challenges.
“Coconut farming is vital for the livelihoods of many rural households and is essential for the renewable raw material foundation of our industry. Our experience in the Northern Province demonstrated that delivering quality seedlings, complemented by appropriate technical support and ongoing engagement, can yield significant long-term benefits,” stated Rajitha Kariyawasan, Managing Director of Haycarb PLC.
Farmers involved in this initiative maintain complete ownership of their crops and are free to sell their produce to any buyer without being bound to any supply agreements with Haycarb. Observations from field visits in the Eastern Province revealed that many farmers are also cultivating vegetables and fruits alongside their young coconut palms, offering an additional income stream while waiting for the coconut trees to mature.
Haycarb PLC is a global manufacturer and supplier of coconut shell-based activated carbon, catering to various sectors including water and air purification, gold recovery, food and beverage, industrial applications, and energy storage. With production facilities in multiple locations, Haycarb leverages its expertise in technical innovation, customer service, and sustainability to create specialized carbon solutions for a range of global needs.
Image caption: Haycarb PLC Managing Director, Mr. Rajitha Kariyawasan.
Farmers are utilizing their land effectively by growing various cash crops alongside coconut saplings, optimizing productivity as the palms mature. (Ammanthanaaveli Grama Niladhari Division, Batticaloa District, Eastern Province)
Source: Financial Chronicle Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News.
