The Commercial Bank of Ceylon recently donated two dehydrator machines to a Women’s Society in Hettipola in the Matale District as part of the Bank’s focus on the social enterprise space.
The beneficiary, the Sithamu Kantha Maha Sangamaya will use the machines for drying unused stocks of jackfruit, breadfruit, seasonal fruits, vegetables and spices for the off-season when produce is scarce.
The initiative in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) envisages that the introduction of food drying technology to the area and the establishment of food drying centres, will lead to the development of related business lines such as value additions to the dried food and packaging, which will uplift the village economy.
The Bank said the UNDP will assist the beneficiary with business capacity building as well as the development of an overarching business plan.
The dehydration facilities will also provide the villagers a sustainable source of food throughout the year, while generating additional income.
In the picture, Commercial Bank’s Deputy General Manager – Retail Banking & Marketing Mr Hasrath Munasinghe is joined by the UNDP’s National Coordinator – GEF Small Grants Programme Ms Thanuja Dharmasena and the Bank’s Senior Manager – Sustainability, Women’s Banking and CSR Ms Kamalini Ellawala at the presentation of the dehydrator machines.