A new research project at a cost of Tk20 lakh has been launched in the district recently to boost preservation of vegetables without using any kind of chemicals.Prof Manzur Hossain, director of Institute of Biological Sciences, Rajshahi University and Faculty of Botany, inaugurated the project at a function in Padma residential area on December 19.
Researchers claimed that once the project is properly implemented, any kind of vegetables, like potato, onion, tomato, carrot and chilli could be preserved for up to 3-6 months without using any chemicals.
Earlier on December 5, 2014, a facility for preservation of vegetables, innovated by
Prof Manzur Hossain, was unveiled giving it the name, ‘natural cold storage’.
The 21 feet long and 38 feet wide cold storage will feature separate store rooms where up to 8 tonnes of vegetables can be stored under different temperatures for research purposes.
Prof Manzur said this preservation arrangement will be able to keep mango and tomato fresh for up to three months and carrot for six months.
This new cold storage has raised hope to vegetable farmers for preserving their produce at the lowest possible cost.
Prof Manzur further said the main aim of this research project is to offer low cost preservation solutions to vegetable farmers in the region.
The Al Arafah Bank funded project will take 90 days for completion.
