MAPUSA
The newly installed state-of-the-art artificial banana ripening chamber at the Mapusa Market Sub-Yard became fully operational on Saturday.
Consumers will now have access to safer and healthier bananas, eliminating the risk associated with bananas ripened using harmful chemicals.
The banana ripening system was launched on Saturday, the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi. Although the Goa State Agricultural Marketing Board (GSAMB) had initially started this facility a few months ago, the service was temporarily suspended due to technical glitches and the need to provide training to the traders.
The GSAMB has set up four special cabins, each with a 15-tonne capacity, for ripening bananas at the Mapusa Market Sub-yard. These cabins have a combined capacity to scientifically ripen 60 tonnes of bananas simultaneously.
Speaking to the media, Ameya Natekar, former chairman of the Mapusa Market Sub-yard Committee, explained that the system ripens bananas in a natural-like environment within just four days by maintaining a controlled temperature of 21 degrees celsius.
“The use of chemicals has been completely eliminated thanks to this new scientific method and the process approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” said Natekar.
“The FDA had previously received numerous complaints regarding the ripening of bananas using chemicals in the sub-yard. However, with the implementation of an FDA-approved process, the practice of jeopardising consumer health has been halted.”
“If any trader is found ripening bananas using chemicals or improper methods, citizens should record a video and lodge a complaint with the administration. Strict action will be taken in such cases,” Natekar added.
Natekar said this facility will benefit not only large traders but also local farmers.
“It will prevent losses during transportation and enhance the storage capacity for bananas. Even farmers with as few as 2-4 bunches of bananas can utilise this chamber to ripen their produce properly before selling it. Direct management of this project has been entrusted to a group of six traders,” he said.
