Srinath Perera started his enterprise Grow Soil Substrate in his homeland of Sri Lanka in 2005, providing a novel space for plants to take root in a highly nourishing environment.
He started operating his venture based on the know-how he gained when working for companies in the Netherlands, France, and Israel for over 18 years. Now, he's passing along this knowledge to other growers, clients, and even some students.
"It was a good opportunity to do something worthwhile and give back to my mother country. That's the main reason I started my company here," Srinath says.
He started his business with his own money, without any third-party investments. "Everything in terms of technology used in my company finds its roots in what I learned in the Netherlands, France, and Israel. Now, more than 30 years later, I adjusted and fine-tuned this knowledge and know-how to align with our enterprise and made it my own."
"The company ships close to 200 containers of substrate to the Netherlands every month. On top of that, the company also supplies 45 other countries with various fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, and even cannabis for medicinal needs with the substrates they need.
Despite managing his company single-handedly, Srinath still likes to physically attend to the sales and explain the benefits of his product to clients, advising farmers how the substrate should be used to yield maximum benefit in their given climate. "Every country has a different climate, humidity, rain, and so on. The coco-substrate has to be adapted to be beneficial for use in the specific climate. For example, fast or slow irrigation."
What makes Sri Lanka so unique?
Srinath's love for his home country is seen not only in the location of his business but also in the pride he takes in the products from Sri Lankan the company deals in.
"Other coco-substrates, although known well, are quite different to that of the high-grade Sri Lankan coco-substrate. Other substrates can be slow draining, making it too wet for some cultivations. This is not the case for Sri Lankan substrate," says Srinath.
Srinath also refers to Sri Lanka's current viable political climate and how it relates to export, which he feels is contrary to what many people believe. "We ship coco-substrate without any problem from Sri Lanka even though some people think that the politicians in our country might spell trouble for shipments. But this just isn't the case. We can ship to any country with ease. No issues, just smooth sailing."
For more information:
Srinath Perera
GROW SOIL SUBSTRATES (PVT) LTD.
No: 151, Alwis Town, Hendala,
Wattala, Sri Lanka
Tel.: + 94 11 2 981 880 / + 94 11 2 933 831
Direct: + 94 11 2 933 821
Fax: + 94 11 2 981 889
Email: growsoil@sltnet.lk / info@growsoil.com
www.growsoil.com