Innovate, Sustain,
Produce for the next generation

About Shalom Estate

About Shalom Estate
Bridge across Thona
Dragon Fruit
Bittegourd

History

Chairman bought a 15 acre property in the village of Koralangkerny on 10 November 2018. An Agriculture Business consultant was engaged to develop the land into a mixed plantation with the following:

  • 1. Coconut [main crop]
  • 2. Moringa
  • 3. Mango
  • 4. Banana
  • 5. Guava
  • 6. Vegetables
  • 7. Field crops
  • 8. Livestock
    • 8.1 Poultry
      • 8.1.1 Layers
      • 8.1.2 Free Range chicken
      • 8.1.3 Ducks
      • 8.1.4 Turkey
      • 8.1.5 Ginny Fowls
    • 8.2 Dairy
    • 8.3 Goat run
Transplanting Chilli
  • A barbed wired fence was constructed, outsourced to a contractor. A living quarter and a tube well were also constructed.
  • The first state institution that helped us to develop the land is the Coconut cultivation board who sold us the initial seedlings and helped us recruit a group of labourers to undertake planting.
  • We engaged Lak Agro Pvt. Ltd. of Kadawatte to install the non-gravity irrigation system. Work began 0n 29 September and was completed in 3 days.
  • 448, CRIC 65 seedlings were planted on the 3 October 2019 in Block-A that made up of 7 acres.
  • Moringa was planted in Block-A in rows between coconut seedlings in January 2020.
  • Hybrid Curry Leaves, Mango, Guava, Dragon, Lemon, Lime and Sweet Orange were planted subsequently.
  • A deputy manager was appointed on 20 May 2020 to run all the operations on the estate.
  • A supply line to irrigate the coconut trees during summer with hose was installed by Goodlife Ltd. in Block-B on 10 March 2020.
  • A Second living quarter was built in Block-B
  • 192, CRIC 65 seedlings were planted on 12 March 2020
  • First poultry shed with 1,000 Lohmann layers was established on 13 May 2021.
  • A semi-automatic spray-jet irrigation system was set up.

Current Operations

  • COCONUT – The following are undertaken to maintain the trees:
    • Application of cattle manure
    • Application of Young Palm Mixture. We buy Urea, TSP, MOP and mix our own fertilizer
    • We use Pheromones traps to control weevils.
  • VEGETABLES
    • We have Chilli, Capsicum, Aubergine, Butternut Squash and Okra on a rotation basis
    • Harvested produce is sold to wholesalers like Estate Warehouse.
  • FRUITS
    • TJC Mangoes, Lemon, Grapes and  Dragon are in bearing. Wholesalers collect them from the estate.
  • POULTRY
    • Wholesalers pick the produce from the estate.
  • AQUACULTURE
    • We are working with the inland fisheries department to begin aquaculture in the Thona
    • Thilapiya, a fresh water farming fish will be introduced.
  • ESTATE
    • The Thona that bisects the estate is dredged and is being landscaped.
    • Inner road is being extended
    • A holiday home is being designed.
CRIC 60 Hybrid
Planting hybrid curry leaves
Chilli Crop

Planned Operations

  • Convert a portion of Block-B into organic farming including coconut.
  • Shalom Estate aims to empower the local community:
    • To achieve self-sufficiency
    • Educate and motivate small-scale farmers on sustainable practices.
    • The objective of this initiative is to:
      • Create a sustainable environment
      • Support and protect  the indigenous flora and fauna
      • Promote eco-friendliness.

The estate provides employment opportunities:

  • To the locals. Significant focus is on empowering women who make up 80% of the workforce of which a large part are single mothers and widows.
  • To further promote sustainable practices, we intend partnering with Eastern University to  design a curriculum and offer apprenticeship programs to young people.

The Superintendent and the Deputy Manager as qualified agriculture professionals will lead the program. We intend hiring specialist for specialised subjects

Value Adding of Produce

Currently we sell field produce to the wholesalers who collect ex-estate. However with the expansion of cultivation, the harvest is expected to increase. The local clients will not be able to manage such quantities. With that in mind we intend to follow the below:

  • Apply post-harvest techniques such as
    • Dehydrating
    • Processing
  • Apply marketing techniques such as:
    • Branding
      • Attractive brand name
      • Eye catching packaging
      • Availability in high-end retail outlets to command a niche.
Aubergine Commercial Crop

Our Team at Shalom Estate

Kennedy Sabapathy
Chairman

With his extensive background in finance, administration, and operations management, Kennedy brings a unique perspective to the table. He understands the importance of efficient resource allocation and strategic planning, which are crucial elements in running a successful farm and agricultural operation.

Kennedy's passion for farming and agriculture stems from his upbringing and the influence of his father. He witnessed first-hand the value of working the land and the positive impact it can have on communities. This personal connection and his desire to make a difference have fuelled his determination to establish the estate as a beacon of sustainable farming practices.

Beyond his professional expertise, Kennedy is also deeply committed to helping the local community. He recognises the challenges faced by small-scale farmers and the need for accessible resources and support. Through the establishment of the estate, Kennedy aims to create a platform where local farmers can receive guidance, training, and access to modern agricultural techniques. By empowering these farmers, he envisions a stronger and more self-sufficient community.

Kennedy's vision for the estate goes beyond traditional farming practices. He is dedicated to implementing sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives, such as water conservation, and renewable energy integration. By embracing these practices, he hopes to not only produce high-quality agricultural products but also minimize the estate's environmental footprint.

With his diverse background, passion for farming, and commitment to community development, Kennedy Sabapathy is poised to make a significant impact on the local agriculture sector and contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the community.

Subash Winston Thangaraja
Superintendent

Winston Thangaraja is a multi-talented professional with a diverse range of skills and experience in agriculture, marketing, sales, education, and estate management.

With a diploma in agriculture and marketing from the Sri Lanka School of Agriculture and the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, respectively, Winston has spent over three decades working in various roles across different industries. He has held positions such as asst. manager, teacher, sales executive, country manager, head of department, consultant, and freelance trainer.

Most recently, he successfully transformed Shalom Estate from a 10-acre bare land into a productive mixed plantation that includes coconut, moringa, horticultural crops, vegetables, and poultry, demonstrating his ability to successfully manage projects from start to finish.

winston@shalomestate.com

Mullen Gethera Ananda Vijeratna Thayanithy
Deputy Superintendent

Thaya is a highly experienced and versatile professional with extensive experience in various roles across different industries.

With over 17 years of work experience, Thaya has held positions such as Deputy Superintendent, Program Manager, Project Officer, Field Officer, Junior Executive, and Logistician in reputed organizations such as Local Initiatives for tomorrow, Eastern social development foundation, and CARE International.

Thaya has a strong educational background, having completed G.C.E Advanced Level in 2002, with a focus on economics, business studies, and accounts.

Thaya's diverse experience in local initiatives, social development and logistics, makes him invaluable to Shalom Estate.

thaya@shalomestate.com

Kanakalingam Prathap
Estate Manager

Prathap is a motivated and results-driven individual with experience in agriculture, business development and sales.

With a Diploma in Agriculture and a focus on seeds certification during college, Prathap has worked in various roles related to agriculture and management.

With experience at Arogiya Farm Pvt Ltd, Berendina Microfinance, CTC Crop Solution, Hayley Agro C, and AJ Farm Enterprises, Prathap has gained valuable skills in business development, field operations and sales promotion.

Currently, Prathap has been working at Shalom Estate for over two years.

With a strong work ethic and a commitment to delivering results, Prathap is an asset to Shalom Estate.

prathap@shalomestate.com