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G.K. Nair

Kochi , Oct. 18

Sri Lanka, as part of its programme to improve the quality of its pepper has implemented a pepper-processing project in the main pepper producing area in Nalanda in Matale district, probably a welcome news for the Indian importers.

The project is financed by the FAO and technical support from International Pepper Community (IPC) and the Indonesian Centre for post-harvest technology, according to the IPC.

Quality

The project aims to improve pepper quality through establishment of a package of small-scale equipment for threshing, blanching, decorticating, drying, grinding and packaging of pepper for collective use by a farmers' group in the area, it said.

India is the main export market for Sri Lanka pepper following the FTA signed few years ago between the two countries.

The trade and other agencies in India had often raised allegations that most of the pepper imported from the Island nation was qualitatively inferior.

It is expected that successful implementation of the project will equip the Farmers' Group with post-harvest equipment and know-how to process and market good quality white and black pepper. The project is also expected to encourage other farmers' groups in the region to adopt the recommended package of post-harvest technology by serving as a model-processing centre for the demonstration of post-harvest technology.

This project is the 2nd pilot project financed by FAO RAP. In 2005, FAO RAP Bangkok working with IPC and the Indonesian Centre for Development of post-harvest technology and local agencies helped Indonesia to set up a similar processing unit in Loa Janan, East Kalimantan, the sources added.

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