The Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) has expanded its specialized financial assistance and technical certification initiative for smallholder spice cultivators across the Matale District, known as Sri Lanka's spice heartland.

Under the project, over 400 registered growers of black pepper, cardamom, cloves, and vanilla are receiving subsidized organic bio-fertilizer starter kits, soil health audits, and compliance documentation support to meet strict European Union and North American phytosanitary standards. DEA officials noted that enabling direct farmer certification significantly boosts farmgate revenues, allowing local smallholders to bypass intermediate commodity brokers and capture premium global export pricing.