Yesterday, at Padalaiyaarkulam near Kalakkad, the foundation stone was laid for a banana auction centre with cold storage and value-addition centre. For a while now, farmers demanded a modern banana auction centre with these features.
Collector V. Vishnu got permission to establish a banana value-addition centre at Kalakkad where banana chips are being prepared. Ornamental products will be made there as well, from banana fibre.
Even as the banana chips and banana fibre ornamental products are enjoying an excellent market, the new facility to be created at Padalaiyaarkulam is expected to boost banana cultivation to the next level.
The auction centre will have grading area, auction area, packing area, cold storage, value-addition area for making banana chips, banana powder, banana fibre, ripening rooms, administrative office, weighbridge with 100-ton capacity, drinking water, toilets etc.
Source: thehindu.com