Currently, only 35% of total produce is export quality.
By Sreejith Vallikunnu
In order to meet the huge challenge of maintaining the quality of fruit in highly-competitive global markets, Kashmir government has started a trial of a US patented technology which offers dramatic results in firmness and doubles fruit shelf-life in a non-controlled room temperature environment. The project mainly aims to aid famous Kashmir apples.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed directed Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences, Kashmir (SKUAST-K) to test the low cost-high result technology known as 1-MCP (Methylcyclopropene), which is being reportedly used in maintaining the quality of 80 per cent US apple.
“SKUAST will carry out trial experiments after working out modalities to see if our fruit growers can use this new technological intervention,†he said.
The Chief Minister gave these directions in a high-level meeting convened to discuss 1-MCP. Prof. Nazir Mir, a Kashmir-born scientist working in Rutgers University, New Jersey, US, who has done pioneering research in 1-MCP, also attended the meeting.
Referring to the difficulties countenanced by fruit growers in increasing shelf-life of Kashmir apple, Mufti Sayeed said the trial test by SKUAST would provide an insight into how useful 1-MCP will be in prolonging the shelf life of fruit, in particular, apple. “Before we implement this technology, we need to see its ramifications through research,†he said.
Describing the new technology as a useful proposition which provides insulation to fruit against high temperatures, the Chief Minister also emphasised upon transportation of fruit to outside markets in refrigerated vehicles. I-MCP (Methylcyclopropene) is expected to afford many fruit and vegetable industries the opportunity to deliver consistently high quality produce safely to the market.
As per available figures, out of the total 16.5 lakh MT apples produced in the state, only 35 percent are high-quality that can be exported. In comparison, Europe exports nearly 80 per cent of its total apple produce.
The state is targeting to transform its Rs.3,000 crore apple industry into a whopping Rs.15,000 crore business over the next five years by rejuvenating orchards by adopting high-density plantations.
However, this can only be possible by using benchmark technologies that ensure freshness of fruit once it reaches retail markets.
Prof. Mir has said the fruit treated with 1-MCP is as good as the one taken out of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) store. “Given the volume of production, this technology is going to be very cost-effective,†he said.
Regulated by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), US, the technology can only be allowed to be used in Jammu and Kashmir after registration with the owners of the patent.