The Institute of Post Harvest Technology (IPHT) of the Ministry of Agriculture recently launched a program to improve the supply and value chain activities of commercially grown mangoes in Sri Lanka.
An event hosted by IPHT saw fruition to the efforts of the Institute of Post Harvest Technology to introduce a safer method of ripening mangoes whereby standardized ripening chambers, ripening periods, and use of ripening agents were identified and implemented.
Following successful tests, mangoes ripened using this method displayed superior quality and taste. To ensure that quality is maintained, ripening chambers, plastic crates for transportation and branded cardboard boxes for packing were distributed among farmers in Omaragolla, Kurunegala.
An instrumental partner in the process, Keells Super has sourced close to 4,000 kg of ‘Omaragolla Mangoes’ todate to provide customers uncompromised quality. Keells Super plans to work closely with the Institute of Post Harvest Technology to ensure this technology is disseminated to all its sourcing locations to ensure the mangoes that reach its stores are of the best quality.
The partnership is an initiative by Keells Super to source and provide customers with quality produce in delivering its promise of ‘Standard of Freshness’. Through such partnerships, Keells Super expects to offer customers the best quality produce at a reasonable price.