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The source of all the images and other data in this padlet is http://sofasl.org/

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SOFA | Small Organic Farmers’ Association

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At present SOFA has obtained following certifications

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At present SOFA has obtained following certifications

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Enhancing the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources as well as repairing the damage and reversing trends is one of the major objectives of SOFA. Therefore they have initiated many environmental conservation projects to achieve this objective.

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Every member should maintain a compost pit in their farmland with residues generated from their own . They also use some other organic fertilizers such as Naturel liquid manure, vermiwash, and biodynamic manure

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Use of traditional and eco-friendly pest control methods such as insect-repellent flowers and bells.

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beekeeping is a common practice among SOFA farmers to help with the pollination and also to gain an extra income

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Ranawara (Cassia auriculata)
English name: Mature tea tree

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Maduruthala (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
English name: Sacred Basil, Holy Basil

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Gotukola (Centella asiatica)
English name: Pennywort

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Pavatta (Pavetta indica)
English name: Indian pavetta

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Iramusu (Hemidesmus indicus)
English name: Indian sarasaparilla

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Polpala (Aerva lantana)
English name: kapok bush

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Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia or fragrans)

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Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia or fragrans)

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Farmers are Producing produce black pepper, white pepper, and green pepper for the world market.

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A native cinnamon variety to Sri Lanka which is also known as true cinnamon and member farmers are producing C5, C4, C3, M5, and H1 quill grades.

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More than 200 Biodynamic green leaf farmers and
more than 1300 organic green leaf farmers.

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59  -   branch societies
3690 -  Farmers

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Separated from Bio Foods and move forward as an independent association.

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This farmer welfare society became the first small farmer group in Sri Lanka to be registered with the Fairtrade Labeling Organization.

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189 farmers in four villages received certification as organic farmers and then they formed a welfare society with the help of Bio Foods.

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An export company called Bio Foods(Pvt) Ltd. together with a few farmer leaders who were selling conventional tea leaves had started a small organic farming project.

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The Small Organic Farmers' Association (SOFA) is a global producer of organic food with an emphasis on environmental preservation and sustainability in organic farming. It uses the premium to improve the standard of living of the poor and small farmers in the project areas by adhering to the Fairtrade concept.

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Helping the economic development of farmers and their families

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Helping the economic development of farmers and their families

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SOFA is regularly helping its members and their families to enhance their economic stability in various ways by utilizing premium of the association

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SOFA not only takes care of its members but also a portion of SOFA's premium is used for social responsibility programs to enhance the living standard of the entire community.

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SOFA instructors introduced this biodynamic manure production in 2004 to their members and now it's becoming popular among them.

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Most farms in this area are located on sloppy lands. Therefore farmers are using SALT and many other soil conservation methods to protect their lands from soil erosion and nutrient loss due to heavy rains.

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Usually, farmers are practicing a mixed cropping system with cash crops, shade trees, repellent crops, and medicinal herbs to maintain the bio diversity of their farm land to control spreading of pests and diseases.

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These herbs are used in Ayurvedic medicine and are also exported as herbal tea.

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Nearly 1200 member farmers are producing various organic and biodynamic spices.

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Member farmers cultivate traditional rice varieties such as Suwandel, Kuruluthuda, Pachchaperumal, and Kalu- Heenati by using 3000 years old traditional knowledge.

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Members in the Kurunagala region cultivate coconut and produce
white coconut oil, desiccated coconut, and coconut milk