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 SithamuKantha Maha Sangamaya will use the machines for drying unused stocks of jackfruit, breadfruit, seasonal fruits, vegetablesand spices for the off-season when produce is scarce.
The initiative in collaboration withthe Global EnvironmentFacility (GEF) Small Grants Programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) envisages thatthe introduction of food dryingtechnology to the areaand the establishment of food drying centres, will lead to the development ofrelated 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.
Thedehydration 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 Program 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.
