The Gujarat government announced on Sunday that the adoption of advanced post-harvest techniques, including hot water treatment and hydro-cooling, has significantly boosted exports of the state's famed Kesar mangoes. These methods effectively eliminate fruit flies and diseases, thereby extending the shelf life of the fruits, according to an official statement.
Certified Orchards and High-Tech Pack Houses
The statement emphasized that mangoes are exported only after being sourced from orchards certified by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). They are then processed at recognized high-tech pack houses to ensure quality and safety standards.
De-sapping Process
Upon arrival at APEDA-registered pack houses, the first step involves de-sapping. Mangoes are placed upside down on special conveyor belts or trays to allow complete drainage of sap. This procedure significantly enhances the fruit's shelf life, the statement explained.
Hot Water Treatment
After de-sapping, raw mangoes are immersed for approximately 10 minutes in hot water maintained at temperatures between 48°C and 52°C. The duration and temperature may vary depending on the export protocols of the destination country. This process destroys anthracnose, a fungal disease that causes black spots and decay, along with other harmful fungi. Eggs and larvae of fruit flies hidden beneath the mango skin are also eliminated, preventing spoilage, the statement added.
Hydro-Cooling and Drying
Immediately following the hot water treatment, the mangoes undergo hydro-cooling. They are placed in normal or chilled water maintained at temperatures between 10°C and 15°C for around 10 minutes, after which they are air-dried. This rapid cooling helps preserve the fruit's freshness and quality.
Global Recognition
“When a product has genuine quality and is supported by modern technology, it gains global recognition. The Kesar mango, grown in the orchards of Gir and Kutch, has successfully evolved into an elite global brand through cold-chain technology,” the statement quoted Sameer Sapariya, who owns an APEDA-approved processing facility.
