Low-cost equipment designed to reduce the estimated 50% wastage rate of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in India has been developed by the country’s Central Research Institute for Dry-land Agriculture.
It has created a portable vessel that incorporates water drips maintaining a fixed level of humidity, keeping produce fresher. It is made of fibre reinforced plastic for durability and has two compartments that are dotted with circular holes, separated by one inch to accommodate pine grass mats.
The institute claims that the system keeps fruit and vegetables 8-10 degrees C cooler and subject to 30-40% more humidity than traditional storage methods, increasing the shelf life of produce up to 12 days.