Bengaluru: Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa distributed solar-powered fruit and vegetable vending vehicle the Arka Tri-Cycle developed by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) to beneficiaries.
The CM distributed the tricycles at his residential office "Krishna" on Wednesday, September 9. He said that the IIHR has developed the tricycle to benefit poor beneficiaries who sell fruits and vegetables on the street.
The solar-powered three-wheeler can travel up to 50 kilometres when fully charged. Fruits and vegetable vendors can reach more customers in a short period of time and could make more profit, he added.
Congratulations to ICAR directors, scientists and staff who developed the solar-powered tricycle. Along with research on agricultural produce and the Council also does excellent work in providing guidance to farmers. I hope that farmers, street vendors and especially farmers' associations take advantage though this three-wheeled cycle, Yediyurappa said.
The street vendors can carry a maximum load of 50 kilograms on their hand-driven carts. This advanced tricycle with eight plastic crates has a maximum weight-bearing capacity of 200 kilograms," Dr Senthil Kumar, Principal Scientist (Agricultural Engineering) of IIHR, said.
The tricycle has an air-conditioned water spraying system that can keep vegetables and fruits fresh for two days. Vendors lose 10 to 20 per cent of agro produce due to spoilage. But with this improved three-wheeler, the spoiling of fruits and vegetables due to sun and dust could be minimized.
