Sri Lanka has saved nearly Rs. 10 billion as of 1 September this year (2023), through the reduction of post-harvest wastage by 50% compared to the same period last year (2022), The Ministry of Agriculture stated yesterday (03).

According to the Ministry, nearly 270,000 metric tonnes (MT) of vegetables and fruits are damaged each year due to non-adherence to proper transportation and storage practices. The value of the vegetables and fruits that are being damaged in that manner is estimated to be Rs. 20 billion per year.

The National Institute of Post-Harvest Management (NIPHM) had submitted a report to the Ministry on the progress of post-harvest management during the past few months. The relevant report reveals that post-harvest damage of fruits and vegetables have been reduced by 50%, thereby saving nearly Rs. 10 billion so far this year.

According to the report, most post-harvest damage has caused to crops such as snake gourd (32% of total harvest), ladies' fingers (28%), carrot and banana (26%), beans (24%), avocado (20-25%), and brinjal, long beans, cucumber, green chilli, guava, and papaya (20%).

A Ministry spokesperson said that the main reason for the reduction in post-harvest damage is the promotion of the use of technical methods in harvesting vegetables and fruits, as well as encouraging farmers to use safe packaging in their transportation. The Government has provided Rs. 45 million for related work in the last budget.

Although large-scale supermarkets often follow proper practices to transport agricultural products, particularly vegetables and fruits, dedicated economic centres and most wholesale and retail traders do not do so.