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58 59 ing the use of biocides such as neem oil and hot pepper water. These solutions reduce the company’s reliance on inorganic pesticides and minimize the possibility of increased chemical tolerance by target pests. It also optimizes its ability to preserve the delicate balance between consistent commercial production and environ- mental sustainability. The company’s commitment to excellence continues through the harvesting process which is carried out on custom-made reaping platforms, where each fruit is individually hand- picked and placed in trays, ready for a gentle ride to the packing house. There, the fruit is packed in Martha’s Best distinctive boxes, coded for traceability, palletized by size and maturity, and made ready for air shipment to its distrib- utors in the U.S., all within 24 hours of being picked. Also referred to as pawpaw, the mature papa- ya fruit is approximately 15cm long, and weighs about 300 to 350 grams. The skin is yellow ADVANCED FARM TECHNOLOGIES LTD. when ripe and green when immature. The soft fruit can be easily cut to reveal a red pulp pro- tecting a tight cluster of small, black oval seeds. Papaya is a world super food. It contains a rich source of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and enzymes that hold powerful health benefits for the human body - from improving skin, helping digestion problems, treating intestinal parasites, protecting the eyes and heart, and even de- creasing the risk of cancer. Papaya contains two special compounds called lutein and zeaxanthin. These phytonutri- ents are concentrated in the macular region of the eyes where they provide protection against UV-damaging light. Research suggests that a good intake of these phytonutrients can sig- nificantly reduce the risk of age-related mac- ular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness. High levels of lutein and zeaxanthin help protect against developing diseases like cataracts and glaucoma. In addition, they help to improve visual activity and color perception.