Funding of $22,540 to support equipping of horticultural packhouse in Denmark

4/11/99

Primary Industry Minister Monty House has announced funding of $22,540 to support the equipping of a quality-assured packhouse in Denmark ,specialising in horticultural products such as avocados, citrus and tomatoes.
Mr House said the Progress Rural WA grant had been awarded to Jamakarri Farm as part of the Value Adding Capital Program. The proponents would match the costs of purchasing the equipment.
The Minister said the development of an SQF 2000 accredited contract packhouse would be the first of its kind in the Lower Great Southern region, providing local growers with facilities for post-harvest processing of this type of horticultural produce.
"The new facility will be able to process a broad range of locally-grown fruit and vegetables, and be easily adapted for new and different processing requirements," he said.
"A feasibility study has shown the new packhouse will have the capacity to cater for current and estimated future horticulture production in the region."
The packhouse will incorporate a product unloading and receival area, creep feed hopper, wash and treatment unit, sorting table and mechanical weight sizer.
Other features include product packaging, loading and dispatch areas, product storage at ambient temperatures and the capacity for a cool room.
Mr House said the quality-assured packhouse would enable producers to achieve value-adding benefits from better presentation of their products, improved grading and sorting, superior post harvest treatment and longer product shelf life.
In addition, there would be increased food safety through SQF2000 accreditation of the post harvest process, and increased marketing opportunities.
"On a larger scale, the project will capitalise on the recent expansion of horticultural production in the Lower Great Southern region. It is expected to facilitate further growth and development of some horticultural pursuits, particularly the Hass avocado industry," the Minister said.
"This development could in turn lead to increased rural investment, rural business incomes and economic activity, and greater rural employment opportunities."
Mr House said the location of the specially constructed contract packhouse near Denmark, in the middle of a special 'horticultural zone', would maximise the region's strategic advantages.
It would reduce the need for imports, and as the industry continued to grow, provide export potential to Eastern State and overseas markets.
Media contact: Julie Cole (08) 9481 2044