Growers asked to maintain standard weight for packaging

The agricultural marketing wing of Punjab agriculture department has directed the fruits and vegetable growers to pack their produce in standard weights to minimise the post harvest losses. It said that it has been observed that there is an increase in the post harvest losses due to improper and bulky packaging especially in fruits and vegetables.
A spokesman of the department said that it is, therefore, has been directed by the Agricultural Marketing wing in accordance with Rule 40 of Punjab Agricultural produce Market Ordinance 1978, that the farmers should pack the agricultural produces in standard weights.
Produce like, potato, onion 10, 20 and 50 kg in gunny bag or polypropylene net bag. Tomato, citrus fruits and mango should be 5 and 10 kg in wooden or card box. Wheat, maize and rice in 50 and 100 kg gunny bag or polypropylene net bag whereas, Cotton phutti should come in cotton pullies or wire gauge trolleys but polypropylene and jute pullies should be avoided, the spokesman concluded.