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30pc fruits, vegetables damaged for lack of preservation facility

Seminar calls for proper packaging to boost horticulture export

STAR BUSINESS REPORT
In absence of proper preservation facility more than 30 percent of fruits and vegetables produced in Bangladesh is damaged annually, agricultural experts revealed at a seminar in Dhaka yesterday.
They said Bangladesh has a bright prospect of earning a handsome amount of foreign currency by exploring markets of diversified products. But lack of technical knowledge about postharvest processing of horticultural products hinders the efforts towards tapping the prospect of the sector.
The observations were made at the seminar titled 'Post-harvest handling and export packaging of horticultural
crops' organised by Horticultural Export (Hortex) Development Foundation.
While presenting the keynote paper, post-harvest specialist of the Department of Agricultural Extension Mohammed Saleh Ahmed said out of total production of 3.41 million tonnes of horticultural crops about 30-40 percent are damaged every year.
The gross losses related to postharvest handling stands at Tk 6,120 million to Tk 8,160 million every year, he said narrating the losses in the field, in packaging areas, in storage, transportation and in wholesale markets.
In his paper, Saleh also said quality packaging is important at all stages of
production and distribution system since good packaging is a prerequisite to generate interest among consumers.
The farmers should be given proper training to better production. They should also be trained on post-harvest technology in order to ensure quality, he suggested.
Speaking at the inaugural session, State Minister for Agriculture Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the country suffers from proper technical knowledge in the field of packaging and postharvest handling.
He also admitted that due to lack of proper post-harvest management about 10-30 percent horticulture crops are damaged before reaching to consumers.
"It will be difficult for Bangladesh to sustain in the international markets unless packaging system is improved," the state minister said urging the private sector to invest more in packaging to boost horticulture export in the international markets.
Speaking at the seminar, Agriculture Secretary ASM Abdul Halim said in the fiscal year 2002-2003 export of horticultural crops declined by 14 percent. He also observed that Bangladesh should concentrate on packaging if it wants to tap overseas markets.
Presided over by Mohammed Akmal Hossain, managing director of Hortex Foundation, the inaugural session was also addressed by its Deputy General Manager Mesbahuddin Ahmed.