Surplus preserved for profit
Kalimpong, March 21: A 10-day residential training programme on preservation and post-harvest technology of fruits and vegetables started today at the regional station of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya.
Organised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for self-help groups formed under the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana, it has been funded by the DGHC District Rural Development Cell and will be implemented by the Block Development Office.
“Every season, about 30 to 40 per cent of fruits and vegetables are wasted for want of proper storage facilities. This programme will help them preserve surplus produce and sell it during the off-season,” said Sarad Gurung, a KVK lecturer and coordinator of the course.
Trainees will learn to make jams, jellies, sauces, purees, squash, marmalade and ketchup. They will be taught disease management and pest control and visit an orange farm at Mangmaya.
