Eye on exports

The development of a food processing industry could complete the Krishnagiri ecosystem, and the farmers could get adequately rewarded for going organic. Some local processing is necessary before the products can be ready for exports. Different countries require different methods for killing the microorganisms, sometimes even pests, that may remain in fruits and vegetables. The US requires irradiation, Europe ‘hot water treatment’ and Japan ‘vapourisation’. The ‘plant quarantine’ department under the Ministry of Agriculture and APEDA (under Ministry of Commerce) should sit together and evolve common standards for Indian farmers that are acceptable to all countries, says Renganathan. Given the potential of Krishnagiri, the government could set up an irradiation facility that farmers can use for a fee.

A beginning has been made for now. HM Sathyamurthy, an entrepreneur, has set up a series of dry rooms — polymer structures that resemble igloos — in which he dries chopped fruits procured locally, under verifiable hygienic conditions, with an eye on the export markets. His company, MCI Agro Industries, sends vehicles to farms to pick up the second- and third-grade fruits that the farmer would otherwise sell at a throwaway price. With MCI Agro (in which Renganathan is a partner), organic farmers have been able to sell at their own doorstep, avoiding wastage. More companies like MCI Agro are needed to supplement the farmers’ efforts to go organic.

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