The launch event of the new product ‘Peanut Biscuit’ by 2K Agro Products Ltd, a company established in Kilinochchi under the Agricultural Modernization Programme, was held this Tuesday (21 April 2026) morning at the company premises, with the special participation of Hon. Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan.
This company is one of the 17 unlisted public companies established in the Northern Province under the Agricultural Modernization Programme. It procures peanuts from its 325 shareholder-farmers as well as from an additional 200 farmers, and is currently engaged in processing these into value-added products for the market. The ‘Peanut Biscuit’ has been introduced as part of this initiative, and the company also plans to launch Kachchan Pagu (sweetened peanut) in the future.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Hon. Governor N. Vethanayahan warmly welcomed the efforts to transform agricultural produce into value-added finished products rather than selling them merely as raw materials. He also expressed confidence that “arrangements for direct exports from Jaffna to foreign countries are nearing their final stage. Once that process becomes feasible, locally produced goods such as these can be packaged to international export standards and shipped directly abroad.”
During the event, farmers who are shareholders of the company brought several challenges to the Governor’s attention, particularly the damage to crops caused by wildlife including monkeys, the pressure to sell produce below production costs, and the lack of market recognition and fair pricing for organically produced goods.
Responding to the farmers’ concerns, the Governor stated that a seasonal agricultural calendar is urgently needed to control price fluctuations of farm produce, and that discussions with universities are underway to establish a data-collection mechanism for this purpose. He further noted that if companies engaged in procuring and value-adding farmers’ produce continue to function effectively and consistently, a permanent solution to many of the farmers’ problems can be achieved.
At the conclusion of the event, Hon. Governor and other guests visited and inspected the company’s machinery units and production operations.
Among those who participated in the event were District Secretary of Kilinochchi S. Muralitharan, Deputy Provincial Director of Agriculture – Kilinochchi District Sothiladchumi, Additional Director of the Regional Agricultural Research Centre Rajeshkanna, along with other senior government officials, company representatives, and farmers.
