10 modern fruit-ripening chambers to be established this year
Daily Mirror: The Institute of Post-Harvest Technology Management has taken steps to establish 10 modern fruit-ripening chambers this year and make them available to large-scale fruit producers, its Chairman Professor Rohitha Prasantha said.
He said the chambers would provide commercial fruit producers with access to modern technology and training on safe and scientific fruit-ripening methods.
Professor Prasantha said the initiative was introduced as part of a systematic programme to ensure that safe and healthy fruit is available to consumers.
He said the new ripening chambers would use natural and scientific methods instead of the harmful chemicals associated with traditional smoke chambers.
The programme is also aimed at helping fruit producers adopt safer post-harvest practices while improving the quality of fruit available in the market.
Meanwhile, the national programme “Toxin-Free Fruit for Children” was launched yesterday at the Ministry auditorium to reduce health risks linked to the artificial ripening of fruit using harmful chemicals.
The programme was launched under the patronage of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, coinciding with World Children’s Day.
The programme aims to promote the availability of safe and quality fruit, with particular attention to protecting children from potential health risks associated with unsafe fruit-ripening practices.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s efforts to modernise its agriculture sector and reduce post-harvest losses are creating new processing and supply-chain development. The expansion of modern fruit-ripening facilities highlights the growing demand for safer and more efficient post-harvest technologies. Business/investment opportunities extend beyond ripening chambers to include cold storage, controlled-atmosphere storage, drying and processing technologies, packaging, logistics and other solutions designed to reduce crop wastage and extend the shelf life of agricultural produce. As Sri Lanka moves towards greater value addition in agriculture, foreign businesses/investors can also explore partnerships with local producers to develop processed food products, improve supply chains and introduce modern technologies and expertise. The sector therefore offers opportunities not only to agricultural businesses but also to technology providers, equipment manufacturers, logistics companies and food-processing investors. With the broader economy moving along a growth path, continued investment in post-harvest infrastructure could help Sri Lanka business/investment opportunities for foreign businesses and investors in agricultural technology, reduce food losses, improve farmer incomes and build new export-oriented agricultural businesses.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20261008Z_2 |