Importance and scope of post harvest technology

1. Importance of Post Harvest
Technology of horticultural crops

2. Definition of Post harvest technology
It is a branch of agriculture that deals with all the operations right
from harvesting or even the preharvest stages till the commodity
reaches the consumer, either in fresh (grains, apple, mango, tomato
fruits) or processed form (flour, juice, nectar, ketchup) and utilization
of the wastes (pomace, peel, seed, skin etc.) in a profitable manner
(manufacture of fermented beverages, colour extraction, pectin
extraction etc.)

5. Horticulture plays a significant role in Indian Agriculture. It
contributes 30% GDP from 11.73 % of its arable land area.
India is the second largest producer of both fruits and vegetables in
the world (107.10 Mt and 204.61 Mt respectively) after China.
The systematic nutritional value of the some Fruit & Vegetable was
recognized in the early 17th century in England.
Fresh fruits and vegetables (F&V) have been part of human diet
since the dawn of the history.
Their lesser recognized benefits relate to their role in kidney
functions, prevention of cancer and cardiac disorders through
contribution of ascorbic acid, β-carotene and non-starch
polysaccharides
Scope

6. Continue…
• fruits and vegetables utilized for processing (< 1%).
• exported (Fruits – 0.5% and Vegetables – 1.7%).
• Post harvest losses in fruits and vegetables (20-40%).
• fruits and vegetables shrivel and decay (10-15%).
• Minimizing these losses can increase their supply without bringing
additional land under cultivation.

7. Sl no. Country % of Fruit &Vegetable processing
1 China 40
2 Thailand 30
3 Brazil 70
4 Philippines 78
5 Malaysia 80
6 India 20

8. Processed forms of fruits & vegetables in India include jams, juices,
pickles, chutney and fruit concentrates.

9. Importance of Post harvest technology
1) Reduction in post harvest losses: Reduction of post harvest losses is an
alternative way of increasing production of agricultural and horticultural crops.
2) Reduction of cost of production: Post harvest technology reduces cost of
production, packaging, storage, transportation, marketing and distribution.
3) Reducing malnutrition: ensures availability of sufficient food to all and extends
the season of availability of a particular commodity.
4) Economic loss reduction: Reduces economic losses at grower level, during
marketing and at consumers end.
5) Availability: perishable commodities like banana, tomato etc. throughout the
year and in almost all place in the country.
Export of horticultural commodity is possible.

10. 6)Employment generation: The food processing industry ranks
first in terms of employment generation.
7)Export earnings: Export of fresh and processed horticultural
commodities also attracts valuable foreign exchange.
8)Defense and astronaut’s requirements: Defense and
astronauts have special requirements of ready to eat and high
energy low volume food.
9)Infant and sports preparations: special infant and sports drinks
to meet the specific nutritional requirements of their body.

11. Nature and causes of post harvest losses
(a)Extend of post-harvest loss: Swaminathan Committee (1980) reported the post-
harvest handling accounts for 20-30% of the losses.
According to Chadha (2009) India loses about 35-45% of the harvested fruits and
vegetables during handling, storage, transportation etc. leading to the loss of Rs.
40,000 crores per year.
(b) Important sites of post-harvest losses:
Important sites where post-harvest losses noticed in India are
• Farmer’s field (15-20%)
• Packaging (15-20%)
• Transportation (30-40%)
• Marketing (30-40%)

12. Loss in Farmers field by cyclone
Loss in marketing
Losses during Transport

13. Improper transport

15. (c) Estimated loss of fruits
Crop (%)
Papaya 40-100%
Citrus 20-95%
Avocado 43%
Grapes 27%
Banana 20-28%
Apple 14%
Estimated loss of Vegetables
Tomato 47-53%
Potato 30-40%
Onion 25-40%
Cabbage & cauliflower 7-25%
Garlic 8-22%
ChIli 6.7-17%
Carrot 5-9%
Radish 3-5%

16. (d) Causes of post-harvest losses
Horticultural crops typically have high moisture content, tender texture and high
perishability.
The causes of postharvest losses can be divided into different categories:
1. Metabolic
All fresh horticultural crops are live organs. The natural process of respiration
involves the breakdown of food reserves and the aging of these organs.
2. Mechanical
Owing to their tender texture and high moisture content, fresh fruits and
vegetables are very susceptible to mechanical injury.
Poor handling, unsuitable containers, improper packaging and transportation can
easily cause bruising, cutting, breaking, impact wounding and other forms of
injury.

17. 3. Developmental
These include sprouting, rooting, seed germination, which lead to
deterioration
in quality and nutritional value.

18. 4. Parasitic diseases
High post-harvest losses are caused by the invasion of fungi, bacteria, insects
and other organisms (plenty of nutrients and moisture to support microbial
growth)

19. 5. Physiological deterioration
mineral deficiency,
or
undesirable atmospheric conditions (humidity, low or high temperature)
or
by enzymatic action
6. Lack of market demand
Poor planning or inaccurate production and market information may lead to over
production of certain fruits or vegetables which can’t be sold in time.
Bitter pit in Apple due to
Calcium deficiency

20. Boron deficiency in cauliflower
Calcium deficiency in Tomato

21. 7. Consumption
These losses can be due to inadequate preservation methods at home,
methods of cooking and preparation such as peeling, cutting etc.
8. Miscellaneous
— Lack of clear concept of packing house operations.
— Lack of awareness among the growers, contractors and even the policy
makers.
— Late realization of its importance,
— Inadequate technical support.
— Unorganized marketing.
—Inadequate market facilities, market intelligence and market
information service (MIS)