Browns: Empowering farmers through a great relationship

Brown & Company PLC is a well-respected conglomerate in Sri Lanka boasting a rich history of over 135 years as a leading business entity. Moreover the company’s association with the Sri Lankan agriculture sector spans more than half a century.

Having begun with the import of the first Massey Ferguson tractor to Sri Lanka, Browns Agriculture SBU is currently the sole distributor of TAFE. Browns took a step towards widening its horizons for contributing the local agriculture by signing a MoU with Farm Mechanisation Training Centre (FMTC), Anuradhapura governed by the Department of Agriculture.

In collaboration with FMTC the MoU is intended to facilitate providing technical knowledge and training to the local farming community to use four-wheel tractors efficiently in their day to day farming operations.

Browns went into the agriculture business after 20 years of its existence by establishing the Agriculture Division in 1892. The first step towards agro mechanisation in Sri Lanka was taken when Browns brought down the first tractor, ‘Fergie’ from Massey Ferguson taking the entire farming concept to a different level.

Since then Browns has become a household name as a provider of best quality farming solutions to the customers; thus empowering the Sri Lankan farmers to work towards increased farm productivity, prosperity and profits. Today, Browns boasts of spearheading the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka.

The history of Browns is a rich journey through the times; serving three generations of customers across the country. As one of the most trusted and respected conglomerates. Over 60 international brands trade under the Browns’ umbrella.

Browns Agricu-lture SBU is the sole distributor for Massey Ferguson and TAFE four wheel tractors. Massey Ferguson has been there for more than 50 years in Sri Lankan market and is perceived to be the farmer’s dream and the most aspired brand in the four wheel tractor market and only Brown & Company is authorised to market genuine Massey Ferguson in Sri Lanka.

TAFE being the successor of Massey Ferguson is equipped with well proven Massey Ferguson system hydraulic linkage that makes TAFE the most technologically advanced tractor available in the market today.

The Anura-dhapura Farm Mechanisation Training Centre was established in 1971 under an agreement made between Sri Lanka and Germany. It is the only centre in Sri Lanka which is equipped with physical and human resources needed for agro mechanisation.

As a result of the MoU signed between Browns and FMTC, farmers, mechanics, agriculture divisional personnel, university students, agri students and others who are involved in agricultural activities will be benefited. The first workshop of the series is being held from 8 to 10 May 2013 at FMTC Anuradhapura.

“It is a great opportunity for Browns to get involved in elevating the local agriculture in to the next level. As the pioneers in agriculture mechanisation of Sri Lanka, with this programme we are planning to educate farmers on operating agro-appliances which will consequently help them to improve their productivity and prosperity. We consider this as the beginning of a long-lasting relationship with the Department of Agriculture in contributing for the betterment of Sri Lankan farmer Community and yet another remarkable step by Browns to enhance Sri Lankan Agriculture Industry,” said Browns Group CEO/Group Managing Director Murali Prakash.  

Speaking more about the MoU, Director General of the Department of Agriculture K. G. Sriyapala said: “There has been a rewarding relationship between Browns and the Agriculture Department for a long time which enabled to implement this MoU. It is a pleasure to be able to facilitate our farming community with a procedure that would make them more successful and productive. Both Browns and FTMC will take every measure to impart valuable practical and theoretical knowledge in educating the farmers.”

“It is the first time in Sri Lanka that a technical training of this kind is being offered by a conglomerate in private sector with the collaboration of Department of Agriculture. It is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to share knowledge on agriculture mechanisation and contribute towards uplifting the Sri Lankan agriculture Industry. I believe this partnership stands as a symbol of national unity through diversity. As a company which has been in the hearts and minds of the Sri Lankans for hundreds of years, we are happy to be a strength to our farmers through this relationship” said Browns Group Senior Vice President – Agriculture, Battery, Porcelain and New Business Panduka Weerasinghe.

This program which includes theoretical and practical knowledge for the farmers will further strengthen the bond between the farming communities with Browns.