Mapusa: The banana trade in North Goa is set for a major boost with the state government establishing a scientific ripening chamber in Mapusa. The facility is designed to ensure safe, nutritious, and chemical-free bananas reach consumers, while reducing wastage and enhancing farmers’ income.
“The main vision behind setting up this ripening chamber at Mapusa is to supply scientifically ripened fruits to the consumers of North Goa. Secondly, the fruits which are ripened in ripening chambers will be done by a natural process and will have more nutritive value,” said Sandeep Foldessai, State Director of Agriculture, on Saturday.
Constructed under the National Horticulture Mission, with 35% subsidy from the Centre, the chamber will also be available for local farmers. “By using the chamber for natural ripening of their bananas, farmers will be able to fetch a better price in the market,” Foldessai explained.
The facility, worth Rs two crore, can handle 60 tons of bananas every four days. It uses ethylene gas in controlled chambers with sensors to ensure carbon levels do not exceed 500 ppm. “This is a scientific way of ripening bananas. Bananas ripened here will be hygienic for consumption,” he added.
Currently, around 10–12 tons of bananas arrive daily at the Mapusa market yard. The chamber, expected to be operational by Dussehra, will benefit local vendors and private farmers alike.
Vendors have welcomed the initiative, calling it a long-awaited relief. “It makes us happy that our government fulfilled years-long requirement of a banana ripening chamber, which was very essential, is finally getting ready,” said fruit vendor Amey Natekar. He noted that support from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik helped expedite the project.
Other vendors echoed similar sentiments. “Earlier, we used to ripen bananas in a room with an incense stick. Now everyone will get chemical-free bananas,” said Prasad Naik. Roshan Chowan added that the chamber would end concerns about FDA raids on chemical ripening, while Habibullah M Kapanalli said the facility would improve quality and consistency in ripening.
