Goa, June 18 -- In response to the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) raising concerns over the absence of an artificial fruit ripening chamber in North Goa, the Agriculture Department has initiated the construction of a facility with a 60-tonne daily capacity at the Mapusa market yard. The project is expected to be completed by Ganesh Chaturthi this year.

Agriculture Director Sandeep Fol Dessai toldO Heraldo, "There must be artificial ripening chambers in each taluka. The fruits have to be ripened scientifically. We have premises under the Goa Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing Board in each taluka where trading is promoted."

He added, "When we learnt that fruits are not being ripened scientifically at Mapusa or its nearby a...