The city-based CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited (KSMD&MCL), under the department of Horticulture, here recently for establishing a Mango Development Centre (MDC) in Chintamani taluk of Kolar district.

As per the agreement, the CFTRI will function as a technical consultant for creating infrastructure for post-harvest handling of mangoes. The plant with unit operations such as washing, sorting, pre-cooling, cold storage, pulp extraction and processing will be commissioned by the CSIR-CFTRI.

The CFTRI has developed a number of technologies on mangoes, including technology protocols for shelf-life extension that enable export of mangoes — Alphonso by ship, fortified mango bar, osmo air-dried mango slices, ready-to-serve fruit beverages, fruit syrups and squashes, pickles and chutneys, jam and jellies, etc. A few of these technologies will be transferred to MDC. MDC personnel will be trained on processing and quality analysis of the products.

In turn, the MDC will also impart training to farmers and entrepreneurs, said Ram Rajasekharan, Director of CFTRI.

It has to be noted that CSIR-CFTRI has been working with various state government departments for catalysing the growth in the nascent sector such as Nutraceuticals with Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS); skill development in association with Karnataka Council for Technological Upgradation (KCTU), department of Industries and Commerce; ensuring nutritious meal to hostel students with department of Social Welfare; and providing nutritional supplements to anganwadis with department of Women and Child Development, he said.

The MoU documents were exchanged between Ram Rajasekharan and Kadri-gowda, Managing Director of KSMD&MCL, during a function held at CFTRI, recently.