Maseru, Nov.05 — Over a decade, Likhothola Fruit Farm in Pitseng has registered a milestone in which it received a fruit sorting machine worth about M2,737,034.08 ($158,00) from the World Bank’s Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion Project (CAFI).
Some of the beneficiaries of the sorting machine among others Likhothola Fruit Farm with 10.72 hectares with over 12,000 fruit trees like peaches, plumes, apricots and apples is one of the three farms under Mahobong Fruit Farm, the initiative which supports Lesotho’s goal of climate-resilient agriculture and food security.
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development Public Relations Manager Ms. Lihaelo Nkaota told the Agency that this is quite an achievement especially with the local fruits to be harvested in mid-November.
Ms. Nkaota said this machine will help sorting fruits in sizes and packaging them especially since they ripe before South Africa therefore they will reach the market sooner.
“This is an industrial machine that automates the sorting and grading of fruits. It replaces slow and inconsistent manual sorting with fast image processing and smart sensors. The machine checks each fruit to ensure quality and meet buyer standards,” she said.
She said this sorting machine checks for: small, medium, or large based on diameter or volume; ripeness, even skin colour, or surface discoloration; accurate grouping for packing and sales and also removes misshaped or damaged fruits.
Ms. Nkaota added that it defects spots, bruises, mold or insect damage. . .
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