Tomatoes that stay fresh for two months? Indian innovation could open a new chapter for smallholder farmers

(Photo: Pixabay)

The development began in the laboratories of the Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology in Davanagere district. The researchers’ goal was clear: to create a solution that would curb post-harvest losses, especially for smaller farms, which often suffer a serious financial disadvantage when market prices suddenly fall.

Why is this breakthrough significant?

In a conventional household refrigerator, tomatoes stay fresh for a maximum of 10 to 14 days. However, the research team has shown that the new storage system can preserve the firmness, colour and flavour of the vegetable for nearly two months. According to project leader H. B. Aravind, tests on campus have also shown excellent results: after 60 days, typical signs of quality deterioration such as softening, spotting or spoilage did not appear.

This result is particularly important at a time when farmers are often forced to sell their produce at a loss due to price fluctuations. If tomatoes can be safely stored for up to 6-8 weeks, producers will have more flexibility to sell their goods at a more favorable time.

How does this special storage work?

The key to the device is a precisely controlled combination of light and sound waves. The system uses a two-minute light treatment per day that includes UV-C, as well as red, blue and green LEDs. These wavelengths are well-known players in modern post-harvest technologies: they reduce microbial load, slow down ripening processes and contribute to longer freshness.

In addition to light therapy, the storage chamber also stimulates the tomatoes with sound waves of a specific frequency for six hours a day. Although this may seem futuristic at first, the agricultural application of sound vibrations is becoming increasingly well-known: they help delay physiological aging and reduce oxidative stress.

The combination therefore has a double effect: it inhibits spoilage processes while naturally extending the shelf life of the crop. All this without the need for chemicals or significant energy requirements.

What could this mean in the future?

Such a cost-effective and easy-to-operate technology could be a huge help for small-scale rural producers. Harvested crops do not go to waste in a few days, and farmers can avoid losing income due to market fluctuations. In addition, the longer shelf life opens the way to more distant markets, as fresh produce can be transported more safely.

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