PANJIM, JAN 4
Goa government-run Horticulture Corporation in its fresh initiative has begun selling imported fruits on its existing cart at Panjim from today.
“At least 10 types of fruits alongside vegetables will be sold on the same cart. The Corporation has roped in a Mumbai-based firm to supply fresh and healthy fruits to these carts, which will be chemical-free,” Sankalp Amonkar, Chairman of Goa State Horticulture Development Corporation told Herald.
The franchisees of these carts will be supplied fruits for sale depending on the demand. The menu includes oranges, sweet lime, apples, bananas, custard apples, water melon, grapes, chickoos and other varieties.
To start with, the corporation will pour-in four-to-five tonnes of fruits daily at the outlets. The corporation at present runs 336 outlets and will open more 50 outlets this year.
Corporation’s Managing Director Orlando Rodrigues said that the products would not be sold as cheap as other vegetables sold at their outlets.
“Not necessary that the fruits will be sold at cheaper rates because ripening costs more. We have ensured that these fruits are ripened chemical-free, healthy and fresh,” he said.
The Corporation will soon allot separate well-equipped cold carts to sell these fruits.
“Around 20 solar carts are planned in the coastal belt beginning with one cart which has already started functioning on experimental basis,” Amonkar had told reporters in December 2010.
He said that the first ever cart is based at their headquarters in Panjim, which is being monitored. The Corporation’s initiative is pioneered in India as these carts harness solar energy to function. Each cart costs about Rs 80,000.
These solar-powered carts have the facility to reduce the temperature of the storing facility by 20 degree celsius which increases the shelf life of the high-value exotic vegetables and fruits.
Rodrigues had also said that these carts would be provided free-of-cost to the franchisees and they will have to pay minimum maintenance cost for the Corporation.
The new venture is an initiative by the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna, which will bear 50 per cent of the total cost.
