by Akosita Talei
The papaya industry has been having problems with rot found in red papayas meant for exports.
Nadi-based agribusiness, Nature’s Way Cooperative says the disease occurs mainly during the wet season from November to April.
Research Extension Manager Kyle Stice says they’ve been exploring some options to control the rot.
“We have selected hot water this is through series of trials that have shown that we’re able to reduce the rots from about 10 to 20 percent down to negligible to about 2 percent and we have now invested in a commercial hot water unit which will be put in at Natures Way cooperative and we will offer them as an additional treatment to our exporters so we see this as a solution during the wet season.”
Stice adds this is one of the best ways to maintain the quality and image of Fiji Red Papayas.
Nature’s Way Cooperative exports about thirty tonnes of red papaya to Australia and New Zealand every year.
Source: Fiji Broadcasting Corporation