Nayomi Ranaweera is an entrepreneur who has been engaged in producing pure kithul treacle and jaggery for the past 6 years. She runs a registered business called Natural Honey (Pvt) Limited in the Ukuwela area of Matale district. Nayomi sources pure kithul sap from kithul tree growers in and around the area, thereby supporting the livelihoods of nearly 150 such growers by providing them with an avenue for sale of their agricultural produce.
The sap is heated under controlled and standardized conditions to produce kithul treacle in a dedicated facility with the assistance of her employees. The sap is also used to produce yet another much-loved delicacy – jaggery. She also produces differently flavoured jaggery, notably ginger and coffee. These products are available at her shop in Ukuwela as well as other local shops, supermarkets and sales outlets promoting organic products.
I/D/E/A/S recently supported Nayomi with much needed working capital to assist her in expanding her production capacity to cater to the ever-increasing demand for pure kithul treacle and jaggery from her customers.
Nayomi takes pride in initiating and sustaining a local agri-based enterprise that has helped not only her family, but also benefitted many other families in the area. She has gained several awards at local and national level for small-scale female entrepreneurial initiatives.
