Watch: GRI event illustrates link between tire maker, farmers

MONARAGALA, Sri Lanka—Specialty tire maker Global Rubber Industries (Pvt.) Ltd. (GRI) reached out recently to rice farmers and natural rubber smallholders in Sri Lanka to demonstrate their respective roles in the company's sustainable supply-chain initiative.

The event, held in Monaragala Province in southeastern Sri Lanka, was part of GRI's Green X Circle initiative. The concept was introduced to rice farmers for the first time.

The Green X Circle connects the natural rubber farmer, who provides raw material for specialty tires, with the rice farmer, who uses GRI tires for his or her agricultural work.

Through this initiative, GRI said "collaboration (is) fostered between the two farming ecosystems while placing emphasis on sustainability principles."

In 2020, GRI introduced the Green X Circle concept for the first time to the rubber farmers. GRI said it demonstrated the similarities and connections between the communities by bringing key stakeholders together on one platform.

In addition, GRI said it was able to show the company's contribution to strengthening and supporting rubber and rice farmers through this initiative.

During its recent event, GRI said it explained the quality and features of its tires, which, it said, help to increase productivity and efficiency of agricultural machinery for farmers.

"We can support and strengthen the rubber farmers by purchasing the rubber that they produce and manufacture a tire that is of international standards," GRI CEO Mahesh Ranasoma said.

"When the productivity of the machines used by crop farmers increases, it benefits Sri Lanka and rubber farmers. Through the Green X Circle program, collaboration and a mutually beneficial relationship are fostered."

The event was held at a traditional paddy-threshing grounds of a paddy field. The rice farmers presented rubber farmers with their harvest of rice to show appreciation to the rubber farmers for producing quality rubber that in turn is sourced to produce the GRI agricultural tires used on their machinery.

One rubber farmer said he began to supply GRI with rubber a year ago, and has attended training programs and workshops organized by GRI.

"We were able to gain much knowledge on sustainable practices," the farmer said. "With GRI's support, we have received a new lease of life to continue with rubber farming."

GRI said that by using sustainable practices in the growing, tapping and processing of the natural raw rubber, its tires are produced with high quality, enabling farmers to increase their yield.

"I am using GRI tires in my tractors, and we have been able to work with greater efficiency enabling higher productivity," another farmer said. "I am extremely happy to know that the tires we use are manufactured with the rubber supplied by the rubber farmers of Monaragala."

Ranasoma noted that it takes three entities, the rubber farmer, rice farmer and GRI, to be successful.

"Rubber farmers in Sri Lanka, the crop farmers here and abroad are connected through the products that we manufacture," he said. "We can take this forward as the only initiative of this nature in the world, which will bring great pride to the country. GRI's GREEN X Circle program will benefit future generations to come."