Gherkins in bulk: (Barrels / Drums – 240 L / 260L). gg Gherkins are properly graded, sorted, culled, soaked and washed before being put into packaging medium in barrels (240L, 260L) of high density polyethylene certified for storage of food products.
Media
1.Gherkins Preserved in Vinegar 2. Gherkins Preserved in Acetic Acid 3. Gherkins Preserved in Brine
We can also customizes the product according to the customer’s specifications
Grades
1. Based on count per Kilo – 10/20, 20/30, 30/40, 40/60, 60/80, 80/100, 100/160, 160/300 and 300+ 2. Length of the Gherkins – 1-4 cm, 3-6 cm, 6-9 cm, 9-12 cm
We can also provide the gherkins of any length and count according to buyer’s specifications
Process
Field process
Good Greens buys gherkins through the contract farming arrangement with a huge network of farmers in and around Dindigul. The companys farm division takes care of the selection of field, monitoring procurement of greens from the farmers. The farmers enter into a buy back agreement with the company. The company supplies seeds and fertilizers of approved quality to the farmers. The company selects the contract farmers considering a number of vital factors like soil fertility, water availability, climate, logistics etc. The Company’s farm– division is headed by senior manager and supported by field supervisors, field officers, buying officers and logistics staff. Farm-division works out a sowing plan according to the needs of the company. The farm team guides the farmers in crop management all through the duration of the crop. The farmers are obliged to produce Gherkins as per the guidelines laid down by the company. Thus ensuring that the Gherkins of prescribed quality are delivered on time.
Manufacturing Process
The greens are inspected thoroughly before being fed to the processing line. The first step is the culling of the fruits to remove unacceptable fruits. After culling, the fruits are graded according to the different sizes require. The graded fruits are then soaked in water and machine washed to remove dirt. The cleaned fruit is then filled up to the specific height in cleaned barrels. Preservative media is prepared as per customer specification and charged into the filled barrels. The preservation process is monitored depending on the media. The final product is thoroughly checked by quality and control team before shipment to the customer. All the machines involved in the production line are designed to meet the stringent food safety standards needed by European, and U.S. customers.
Weeding and staking:
Weeding, as and when required, followed by top dressing and raking up the earth will be necessary as the crop is of short duration and heavy fertilization is done. After 16-20 days, staking is done with wooden stakes of 2.4 metre length and 5 cm diameter held serially by galvanized iron wire, at top and bottom, with jute thread joining them. The vines should be manually trained to grow along the jute thread. Staking makes the plant stand straight, facilitates ventilation and makes all cultural operations, like weeding and harvesting, easier and faster. Vines with no stakes to climb on are more susceptible to diseases.
Fertilization:
After the basal fertilization mentioned above, 5 or 6 split doses of fertilizers should be applied, as the crop is a heavy feeder of fertilizers. The University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, recommends only 60:20:32 Kilograms per acre and, that too, making adjustments according to the soil fertility status. But, the companies recommend twice and thrice the quantity for optimum production. The fertilizers should be applied in pits made between the plants to avoid contact with roots and irrigation should follow immediately. Though the frequency of irrigation depends on the crop season, an average of 10 to 12 is recommended.
Plant Protection:
Integrated pest management (IPM) combining preventive measures like crop rotation, manual destruction of pests, usage of baits, keeping distance from crops that are hosts to common insects and pests, etc., are employed by farmers. Chemical pesticides have to be used at the barest minimum as any pesticide residue on the product will disqualify it from selection as export-worthy. At the same time, improper care against the pests, insects and viruses might result in a 50% loss in the quantity and quality of the product.
Pollination:
Honeybees are the agents of cross-pollination among the gherkin plants. Care should be taken to avoid spraying chemicals in the morning time when the bees are active in the field. Proper fruit development depends on effective cross-pollination.
Harvesting:
The fruits can be harvested when they are of the size specified for the first grade which commands the highest price. Just one month growth would be sufficient for this. Daily harvesting can be done for the next two months without any break. Nails should not be used for plucking and bamboo baskets are compulsory for collecting the fruits. Fruits are temporarily stored in netted bags or big baskets under shade. Fruits which are defective in any way, through disease, damage, foreign matter, etc., must be removed. The first and foremost consideration in harvesting should be the company's specifications and requirements regarding size and quality.
Storage and inspection:
A rectangular shed with the top and three sides covered would be sufficient to function as a temporary storage facility till the fruits are handed over to the company people. A clean tarpaulin may be spread on the floor and the fruits spread out on it for a last inspection for disqualifying defects. Ventilation and protection from sun and rain are important. After screening the fruits for defects, they should be transferred into big bamboo baskets or netted bags before the collection vehicle arrives. No fertilizer, empty fertilizer bag, pesticide or sprayer should be kept inside the shed, as these may contaminate the fruits.
Manufacturing Process:
The fruits are inspected thoroughly before being fed to the production line. The first step is the culling of the fruits to remove unacceptable fruits. After culling, the fruits are graded according to the different sizes require. The graded fruits are then soaked in water and machine washed to remove dirt. The cleaned fruit is then filled up to the specific height in cleaned barrels. Preservative media is prepared as per customer specification and charged into the filled barrels. The preservation process is monitored depending on the media. The final product is thoroughly checked by quality and control team before shipment to the customer. All the machines involved in the production line are designed to meet the stringent food safety standards needed by European, and U.S. customers.
Quality
GGI’s commitment to quality starts right from the choice of seeds, which are procured only from premium seed producers. Stringent quality control measures are adopted during procurement and disbursement of seeds to the farmers. The farmland is first tested for suitable soil conditions and other essential criteria. Only those farms which pass our quality norms are chosen for the cultivation purpose in addition to various pre-qualification processes that a farmer / farmland have to undergo to enroll in our contract farming system.
Periodic test / inspections are conducted on the fields for incidence of diseases, pests and weeds and remedial actions taken promptly. We also carry out farmer education programs for updating them on the latest farming techniques.
All raw materials used for processing are subject to thorough inspection and approval by our Quality Department. Our quality teams supervise and ensure continual quality monitoring throughout the process. They are supported by a full-fledged laboratory.
We strive for continuous improvement and thus collect the necessary data for analysis of the same at regular intervals
Location
Office Address:
No: 70, Mannarswamy Koil Street, First Floor, Royapuram, Chennai - 600 013, Tamilnadu, India.
Mobile : +91 98843 63947 Email : goodgreensindia@gmail.com
Factory Address:
No: 4/14, V.G Pudur Road, Kasipalayam, Kalvarpatty Village, Vedasandur, Dindigul - 624 711, Tamilnadu, India.
