Davanagere researchers crack chemical-free tomato storage

Davanagere: A quiet breakthrough at the Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology (BIET) is offering new hope to tomato farmers by converting scientific research into a practical solution. A team of researchers at the institute has developed a smart tomato preservation system that can keep tomatoes fresh for up to 30 days without the use of any chemicals.Instead of chemical preservatives, the system relies on sound and light waves, presenting a clean and innovative approach to one of agriculture's most persistent challenges. In India, more than 25% of harvested tomatoes are lost every year due to the lack of adequate preservation facilities.Crop spoilage not only results in financial losses but also wastes farmers' hard work, leading to unstable prices and distress sales when markets are oversupplied. The BIET system addresses this issue by extending the freshness of tomatoes during the critical post-harvest stage.The project was developed under the guidance of BIET principal Prof HB Aravind and mechanical engineering department head Prof G Manavendra, with Sharan AS, dean and chief researcher of the Skill Development Centre, leading the research effort.The innovation has received a Rs 20 lakh grant from the Union govt, enabling the project to move from laboratory research to practical application. The achievement has also gained national recognition, with the project ranking among the top 20 entries out of 1,376 submissions in the Union govt's Tomato Grand Challenge.What began as a small idea in 2017 has now evolved into a promising technology with real-world impact. For farmers, the system represents an opportunity for better prices, reduced waste and improved dignity in their livelihoods."Our team has developed a smart tomato preservation system that will help farmers store their produce longer and sell it when they receive better prices," said Prof HB Aravind, principal of BIET Davanagere.Students win bronzeStudents of Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology, Davanagere, won the bronze medal by securing third place in the installation event at the 25th VTU State-Level Cultural Festival, held recently at Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru.The event's theme, ‘Nurse's Revenge', was creatively interpreted by students Srujana Gouri S, Niranjan GN, Champa D and Bharath D, who designed an installation model showcasing their artistic skills. Their effort earned them the third-place honour at the state-level competition.