Research conducted by the Fiji Papaya Project has resulted in the development of a hot water treatment process that has achieved notable results in reducing diseases on export papaya fruit. The hot water treatment complements the High Temperature Forced Air Treatment (HFTA) that is currently being used.
The tests, conducted at Nadi-based export crop treatment plant Nature’s Way Cooperative, has been lauded as a huge boost for papaya exports.
Nature’s Way CEO Michael Brown said the development of the equipment was proof that the research and extension service established by the co-op was reaping positive rewards for local exporters.
“The commercial hot water unit was designed at Nature’s Way and several quotes were obtained for the full scale unit,” he said.
“The newly built unit is expected to cost about $18,000 and this will have the capacity to treat up to 400kg of fruit at a time.”
Source: Adapted from Fiji Times Online