PRIVATE PARTICIPATION IN IRRADIATION
PROCESSING
Private sector participation
is to be encouraged in establishing irradiation Facilities especially
for processing agricultural products in various parts of the country.
The Department of Atomic Energy is actively involved in propagating
this technology and plans to set up more irradiation projects.
Irradiation helps in lengthening the shelf-life of agricultural
products and keeping them hygienic.
The DAE, based on
BARC developed technologies has already set up a high-dose demonstration
plant for irradiation of spices at Vashi, Navi Mumbai and another
low-dose demonstration plant for irradiation of onions at Lasalgaon
Nasik in Maharashtra. The Centre for Advanced Technology of DAE
is currently involved in setting up an accelerator-based radiation
processing Facility at Indore, Madhya Pradesh for the processing
of agricultural products.
Meanwhile, the design
of an "Install and Operate Irradiator", has been completed and
submitted to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board for approval.
A prototype unit is planned to be set up during the current plan
period. This irradiator with an irradiation volumetor is highly
safe and can process 4 tonnes of marine products per day. Individual
food processors and manufacturers will greatly benefit from it,
as it requires very small place.
