Sri Lanka to set up 21 ag export zones to cut post-harvest waste

Due to a lack of proper transportation, poor storage facilities and flawed packaging systems, post h…

Due to a lack of proper transportation, poor storage facilities and flawed packaging systems, post harvest loss of fruits and vegetables in Sri Lanka is more than 40 percent, according to Minister of Primary Industries, Daya Gamage.

"Due to heavy post harvest waste of fruits and vegetables the Ministry of Primary Industries together with the Agriculture Ministry, the Ministry of Rural Industries and Fisheries Ministry, will set up 21 export oriented agricultural zones in the country," Minister Gamage said at the inaugural ceremony at a workshop held at Waters Edge Hotel yesterday.

"These zones will provide training and know-how for farmers to prevent post harvest waste. Further, those zones will provide storage facilities with deep freezers and proper packing methods for farmers,' Gamage said.

He also said that these economic zones will provide knowledge on reducing post harvest water accumulation when transporting, as well as storing and packaging, with the assistance of new technology, which we would be getting from other developed countries.