Chai Bora acquires, expands Dabaga

DETRICIA PAMBA

Chai Bora Chairperson Mr Ali Mufuruki

CHAI Bora has acquired Dabaga factory, a leading tomato source firm, and expanded it into a state-of-the- art facility.

According to Chai Bora Chairperson Mr Ali Mufuruki, the construction of the new tomato source factory is completed. “The construction of the plant is complete and there are modern machines which have been installed and the factory is using high technology in production,” Mr Mufuruki said.

The factory, built at Ikokot Village, has the capacity of processing 500 tonnes a month and set to become a ready market for tomato farmers in Ilula Ward and town and the rest of Kilolo District. Chai Bora Managing Director Mr Kapila Ariyatilaka said the factory envisages to increase employment rate, especially for the youths in Ilula.

“This plant will benefit the locals such as tomato farmers around the area since they will have a reliable and consistent market for their produce,” Mr Ariyatilaka said. The choice of building the factory at Ikokoti is based on the fact that the village is producing the best quality of tomatoes in the country.

Early last year, Chai Bora board approved plans to build a new state-of-the-art production facility for Dabaga products at Ikokoti village.

Chai Bora said apart from employment, coming next year the company through corporate social responsibility will invest in uplifting education and health levels in the community they operate. Agricultural education to local farmers is amongst plans to be implemented next year. Farmers will be educated about the cultivation and preservation of tomatoes.

Mr Ariyatilaka said for farmers to supply their produce to the factory, their produce should follow standards set by the factory. “We’ll be having an open day which we will use to call all farmers into our offices and educate them about agriculture so that they may benefit more,” he added.

Dabaga was established in 1979 and its prime products prior to acquisition were tomato ketchup but also produced jams, mango pickles, chill sources and the like. On other hand Chai Bora extended their production portfolio from tea and instant coffee to now tomato sources and related products.