Voices From
Our Farms

I am Ajantha Swarnathilaka, and I am a proud member of the Makulemada Society. I joined the Small Organic Farmers' Association (SOFA) in 2008 under registration number 243. Since then, my life as a farmer has transformed in ways I never imagined.

I live in Makulemada with my family of five. Farming has always been a part of our lives — it's what we know, what we love, and what we depend on. I chose organic farming; it's not only environmentally friendly, but also safer for human health. SOFA strengthened this choice by offering better prices for our organic produce, encouraging us to move forward confidently.

Becoming a member of SOFA was a turning point. Through this organization, I learned improved farming techniques and began cultivating mixed crops like clove, cinnamon, pepper, turmeric, ginger, and nutmeg. The training programs on organic farming methods, pest control, and market access helped me grow both personally and professionally.

SOFA Organization is also a Fairtrade certified producer organization, and through the Fairtrade Premiums, I received many benefits that eased our daily struggles and brought hope into our lives.

Beyond agriculture, SOFA introduced the Women's Self-Development Project to support women's self-employment and enhance their social and economic independence while providing interest-free loans to start self-employment projects that helped us diversify our income.

With SOFA's support, I found a stable and reliable market for my crops. My income improved significantly, which helped me to better care for my family and invest back into my farm. For the first time, I was able to plan for our future with real hope and confidence.

Looking back, joining SOFA Organization has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. The support I've received, especially through the Fairtrade Premiums, has changed not just my life, but the lives of many others in our Society. I am deeply grateful, and I look forward to continuing this journey, growing stronger together with my fellow farmers.

I am S.D. Gamini Kumarachandra, living with my family of six in the Mathalapitiya Society. I have been cultivating cinnamon, pepper, and clove for many years. In 1998, I had the opportunity to join the Small Organic Farmers' Association (SOFA) as a member of the Mathalapitiya Society.

At that time, I had very limited technical knowledge on how to improve my cultivation practices, and I struggled to find a fair market for my produce. As a result, my income remained quite low, and my yields were poor due to inadequate farming techniques.

However, becoming a member of SOFA Organization was a turning point. I received training in various organic farming techniques, such as making organic manure and biodynamic fertilizers. I learned how to apply these methods to increase my crop yields each year.

One of the most inspiring initiatives was SOFA's support in pollination — we received beekeeping units, not only to protect nature's balance but also to create an additional source of income for our families. This blend of agriculture and apiculture uplifted both our farms and our finances.

As well as one of the highlights was the establishment of a community center for cinnamon processing in our society, which further boosted our productivity and led to a steady increase in profits.

Moreover, SOFA Organization is also a Fairtrade certified producer organization, and through the Fairtrade Premiums, I received many benefits that eased our daily struggles and brought hope into our lives.

With my experience and commitment, I was elected President of the Mathalapitiya Society. Today, I am proud to say that after joining SOFA, I transformed my farm by adopting organic farming practices, which have significantly improved both the quality of my crops and our yields.

Looking ahead, my goal is to continue expanding my farm, further improving organic farming practices, and helping more farmers in our community adopt sustainable methods, thereby contributing to SOFA and the local community.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the President of SOFA for his invaluable service in uplifting our daily lives and providing the right direction for all of us. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the traders who purchase SOFA products on behalf of all our members.

I am U.G. Rathnasiri, living with my family of four in the Mathalapitiya Society. I have been cultivating cinnamon and pepper for many years. In 1998, I had the opportunity to join the Small Organic Farmers' Association (SOFA) as a member of the Mathalapitiya Society.

At that time, I had poor technical knowledge of how to improve my cultivation practices by using new organic agricultural methods. As a result, my income remained quite low, and my yields were poor due to inadequate farming techniques.

However, under the guidance of the President of SOFA, I received training in various organic farming techniques, such as making organic manure and biodynamic fertilizers. Through SOFA's extensive training, we learned modern soil management methods, including how to enhance soil fertility naturally and control soil erosion.

As part of SOFA's Agricultural Development Programs, every year we also receive agricultural equipment and planting materials such as ginger, cinnamon, clove etc. Also under Health and Safety development, we received necessary health and safety equipment from SOFA as well. These resources significantly improved my farm.

Additionally, through SOFA's Education Development program, essential stationery has been provided to the children in our society to support and uplift their education.

Apart from the assistance provided by SOFA, the organization has also contributed to community development, agriculture, education, and social and economic growth for both SOFA members and non-members in our village.

As far as I know, all SOFA members and non-members in our village, along with their families, have achieved tremendous growth in both social and economic aspects under the guidance of the President of SOFA.

With my experience and commitment, I was elected Secretary of the Mathalapitiya Society. Today, I am proud to say that after joining SOFA, I transformed my farm by adopting organic farming practices, which have significantly improved both the quality of my crops and our yields. As a result, my family's standard of living has improved, and we now enjoy a more stable and prosperous life.

My goal moving forward is to expand my farm, enhance organic farming practices, and support more farmers in our community in adopting sustainable methods, ultimately benefiting both SOFA and the local community.