Nestlé support to local farmers reach record Rs. 4 b in 2012

Nestlé said yesterday it has accelerated strong commitment to local sourcing and rural development despite a very challenging year with support to farmers reaching a record Rs. 4 billion in 2012.

Manufacturing over 90% of its products sold in Sri Lanka locally, Nestle said it is set to end the year with the highest ever contribution to the rural community in its history; paying out Rs. 4 billion (US$ 31 million) to more than 23,000 local farming families for the procurement of raw materials such as fresh milk and coconut for its leading food and beverage products.

The country’s largest private sector collector of fresh milk, Nestlé procures fresh milk from over 18,000 farmers every day. The company has worked closely with relevant authorities over the years to assist local dairy farmers in increasing the quantity and quality of their yield; thereby helping to reduce the country’s dependency on milk powder imports.

As the world’s largest exporter of coconut milk powder, Nestlé also contributes to the livelihood of 5,000 coconut farming families across the country by way of coconut purchases amounting to 50 million coconuts a year.

“It’s nice to end the year having made such a positive impact on the lives of so many. I’m extremely proud of our landmark contribution in uplifting the livelihoods of Sri Lankan farmers this year and pleased we have proved once again that it is possible to do well by doing good,” Nestle Lanka Plc Managing Director Alois Hofbauer said.

Nestlé said it is hailed widely across Sri Lanka as the ’local multinational’ for its significant contributions towards developing the country’s rural sector. The world’s leading food and beverage company has won a number of awards and accolades to its name in honour of strong economic and social contribution to the country.