Jan 27, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute says that the post-harvest wastage figures for fruit and vegetable production are exaggerated.

The Director of the institute Lalith Kantha Jayasekara said the institute had conducted an island wide research in economic centers and other market places.

Seventy officials of the institute were deployed island wide to conduct the research and it was found that the post-harvest wastage of fruit and vegetables was not as high as the reported 40%.

Jayasekara said a three-hour discussion was held with the Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade on the results and the report of the research finding was handed over.

The official said the country needs transport methods that are suitable for the country.

The Ministry of Internal Trade and Cooperatives has found that over 30% of the harvest of vegetables and fruits get wasted due to improper transportation methods costing the country nearly Rs. 20 billion per year.

The government enacted a law making it compulsory for the farmers and traders to transport vegetables and fruits in plastic or wooden crates. The law went into effect on January 15, 2012.