SHERPUR. Mar 2 : About 40 per cent fruits and vegetables In the district are perisned every year due to absence of cold storage facilities, reports UNB.

The growers are compelled to sell their perishable products like mango, tomato, potato, onion, ginger, turmeric and green chillies at low at low prices as they are unable to store these.

Lack of transport facilities and high transport cost hinder . the movement of those products to different areas of the country.

Agriculture Extension Department sources said the prospect of potato cultivation In the district is bright this year but the farmers have lost their interest to cultivate the perishable commodities due to absence of cold storage in and around the area.

, An official source said some businessmen had show interest to set up a cold storage in the district town, but the project is yet to be implemented due to government's reluctance and cumbersome procedures for getting financial assistance for the project.