A Project to Preserve Surplus of Fruits and Vegetables…..

In the recent past Medias exposed dumping of surplus vegetables and fruits, which were in excess of demand. The Ministry of Agriculture has commenced a project for the preservation of the surplus harvest of fruits and vegetables by dehydration during the harvesting seasons.

Several dehydrator machines have already been imported from China and more machines will be imported from countries like Germany, to be installed in areas where fruits and vegetables are most commonly cultivated, says the Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera.

The Minister said at a press conference yesterday (05) that loan schemes will be provided to the farmers, who import these dehydrator machines, under the “Enterprise Sri Lanka” Credit Program.

He further stated that in order to cut down the wastage of surplus harvest, the Ministry is introducing and implementing methods to dehydrate fruits (banana, mango, guava, papaw, etc.) and certain vegetables for sale.

During the year 2017, several thousands of millions have been spent to import maize, grapes, cashew nuts, ginger, turmeric, finger millet and honey. Hence the Ministry plans to promote and cultivate the aforementioned in zones in Srilanka.