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Excess tomato to be processed into animal feed in Kolar
No more dumping surplus tomatoes on roads or garbage bins as it will be processed to make nutrient rich animal feed. The initiative is unique in all ways as food wasted is indirectly huge loss of national resources. Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Thrilok Chandra, IAS is the man behind the project to convert tomato into animal fodder. He speaks about the need for tomato waste management processing plant, animal fodder features and role of Karnataka Co-operative Milk Federation (KMF). Excerpts:
Kolar APMC is the largest tomato marketing yard in Asia. During the peak season everyday almost 20 tonnes tomato waste is generated. It became imperative to manage this massive waste as it started affecting the environment and public health adversely. Looking at all possible solutions, processing tomato into animal feed was most viable way out. Initially it was proposed to produce lycopene extract but the investment was exorbitant as it required controlled atmosphere. So we decided to produce the animal feed.
Next we hired a consultant and prepared the report to be submitted to Government of Karnataka. It was readily accepted as it was the productive approach to manage the tomato waste. As the fodder produced was planned to be sold to dairy farmers we decided to involve Karnataka Co-operative Milk Federation (KMF). They too readily received the proposal and have taken up the responsibility of production and marketing. At the moment the entire project is the under the legal procedural formalities. The plant is expected to be installed at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) yard in Kolar by 2016 end or early 2017. The capital investment is Rs. 1 crore. It will be funded by KMF.
There are 2-3 tomato varieties dealt in the market. During the season the transactions are close to 200-300 tonnes. Tomatoes having even minimum defect are left out of the sales auction. So this uncleared stock after the auction was left to rot but now will be processed at the plant to make the animal feed. Bio-reactors will be established for processing. It would be 24 hours cycle to convert tomatoes into animal feed.
Kolar is second largest milk producer in the state hence the market for the feed is vast. The tomato based animal feed to be produced at the Kolar plant shall be lycopene rich feed having high content of antioxidants. Thereby the health of the cattle will be better and quality of milk shall be enhanced. The feed is primarily focused for dairy animals but can be used as poultry, fish and pig as well.
Converting tomato waste into animal feed is our first project at APMC yard. We have similar projects for managing waste of other horticulture produce but presently it is on hold as we await the success of this project. We are very much positive about this processing plant as it shall be instrumental in managing the waste in the rightful manner. We hope many such similar initiatives are taken to convert the waste into useful products because it is best mode to utilize our resources and safeguard the environment and nature.
(As told to Shweta Dhanuka)
Contact details:
Dr. K V Thrilok Chandra I.A.S.,
Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Kolar District-563101, Karnataka, India
Phone: 08152-222001
E- mail: dckolar2016@gmail.com
No more dumping surplus tomatoes on roads or garbage bins as it will be processed to make nutrient rich animal feed. The initiative is unique in all ways as food wasted is indirectly huge loss of national resources. Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Thrilok Chandra, IAS is the man behind the project to convert tomato into animal fodder. He speaks about the need for tomato waste management processing plant, animal fodder features and role of Karnataka Co-operative Milk Federation (KMF). Excerpts:
Kolar APMC is the largest tomato marketing yard in Asia. During the peak season everyday almost 20 tonnes tomato waste is generated. It became imperative to manage this massive waste as it started affecting the environment and public health adversely. Looking at all possible solutions, processing tomato into animal feed was most viable way out. Initially it was proposed to produce lycopene extract but the investment was exorbitant as it required controlled atmosphere. So we decided to produce the animal feed.
Next we hired a consultant and prepared the report to be submitted to Government of Karnataka. It was readily accepted as it was the productive approach to manage the tomato waste. As the fodder produced was planned to be sold to dairy farmers we decided to involve Karnataka Co-operative Milk Federation (KMF). They too readily received the proposal and have taken up the responsibility of production and marketing. At the moment the entire project is the under the legal procedural formalities. The plant is expected to be installed at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) yard in Kolar by 2016 end or early 2017. The capital investment is Rs. 1 crore. It will be funded by KMF.
There are 2-3 tomato varieties dealt in the market. During the season the transactions are close to 200-300 tonnes. Tomatoes having even minimum defect are left out of the sales auction. So this uncleared stock after the auction was left to rot but now will be processed at the plant to make the animal feed. Bio-reactors will be established for processing. It would be 24 hours cycle to convert tomatoes into animal feed.
Kolar is second largest milk producer in the state hence the market for the feed is vast. The tomato based animal feed to be produced at the Kolar plant shall be lycopene rich feed having high content of antioxidants. Thereby the health of the cattle will be better and quality of milk shall be enhanced. The feed is primarily focused for dairy animals but can be used as poultry, fish and pig as well.
Converting tomato waste into animal feed is our first project at APMC yard. We have similar projects for managing waste of other horticulture produce but presently it is on hold as we await the success of this project. We are very much positive about this processing plant as it shall be instrumental in managing the waste in the rightful manner. We hope many such similar initiatives are taken to convert the waste into useful products because it is best mode to utilize our resources and safeguard the environment and nature.
(As told to Shweta Dhanuka)
Contact details:
Dr. K V Thrilok Chandra I.A.S.,
Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Kolar District-563101, Karnataka, India
Phone: 08152-222001
E- mail: dckolar2016@gmail.com