Crates minimize post harvest damage

Priyanka Kurugala

Agriculture Ministry’s Enterprise Development Director D B T Wijeratne said the use of plastic crates would minimize post harvest damage to vegetables. This move will minimize waste of vegetables from five to 10 percent.

Wijeratne was addressing the inaugural function to introduce crates held under the patronage of Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena at Koswattha, recently. He said action would be taken to provide crates at a low price for farmers and traders.

The total requirement of crates is about 450,000. The Ministry has produced 250,000 crates.

The balance will be provided soon.

The Ministry has distributed 1,000 crates to shop owners free of charge in Matara and Colombo.