Fruit processor ready to roll out

FRUIT FARMERS should soon have a ready market for their produce when the Home Economics and Social Services Division of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) rolls out its $2.5 million mobile fruit-processing vehicle.

According to Lorna Gooden, manager of the division, markets were currently being sought for the processed fruits.

"We are busy now talking to the processors and we have a food technologist with us, Dr. Pat Hamilton, who liaises with them to see what the demands are so that we can produce to their specifications," said Mrs. Gooden.

The aim of the project is to develop specifications for the purée from different fruits required by the processors.

The fruit processing vehicle and the necessary equipment were purchased from funds obtained through the agro-processing component of the Agriculture Ministry's Fruit Tree Crop Project, and RADA.

The equipment includes a pulp finisher which separates the skin and seeds from the fruit and converts the flesh fruit into a puree; a vacuum sealer to seal the container used for storing the purée; and a steam kettle which brings the purée to a certain temperature to minimise the micro-organisms in the stored products.

Mrs. Gooden said that the equipment has been acquired and her team is ready to visit communities that have fruits in abundance. Pre-processing of these fruits will be done on spot.

"Currently the country imports a lot of guava and mango purée from all over the world. If we can do the processing ourselves, we can have the fruits when they are in or out of season," she told Farmers Weekly.

"We will supply the local fruit processors and at the same time give the farmers a chance to sell what they have when they are in season, especially our common mangoes, which most often go to waste during the season."

Farmers, women and young persons chosen by RADA's Extension and Home Economics officers, will be involved in the selection and processing of the fruits.

They will also monitor the reaping and pre-preparation of the fruits at the community level.

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