‘Fruit-ripening chambers’ are gaining popularity in Mysuru district and the Horticulture department is making efforts to set up more such units to ensure chemical-free fruits.

The district has four ripening chambers and all of them are getting a good response from traders and farmers. The units can be used for ripening of mangoes, bananas and other fruits. According to Horticulture Assistant Director Sabina Aiyanna, the aim of the department is to ensure healthy and quality fruits to consumers and to ensure good income to farmers. The department has urged the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) officials to set up a unit on its premises in Bandipalaya to prevent the farmers and the traders from using calcium carbide to ripen fruits.

A few traders and the farmers have shown interest to set-up new units and expand the number of existing chambers. In addition, Raitha Mitra Farmers Producer Company has come forward to establish a unit to help the farmers, she said.

Credit and subsidy
The department offers 35% credit-linked and backend subsidy under National Horticulture Mission (NHM). In addition, Mango Board offers 25% subsidy for mango traders and farmers. Mango growers can avail 60% subsidy to install the unit. The admissible cost for ripening chamber is approximately Rs 1 lakh per metric tonne. According to traders who have set up the units the chambers have several benefits and ensure healthy and quality fruits for the consumers.