IMPORTANCE AND SCOPE OF PHM

 

 

Post-Harvest Management includes the processes done immediately after harvesting the produce, including cooling, cleaning, sorting and packing. The instant a crop is removed from the ground, or separated from its parent plant, it begins to deteriorate. Therefore Postharvest treatment are given to increase its shelf life and maintain its quality. Thus post harvest management largely determines final quality.

Importance and Scope of fruit and Vegetable Preservation in India

Introduction

Fruits and vegetables are important supplement to the nutritional requirements in the human diet as they provide the essential minerals, vitamins and fiber required for maintaining health. India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in world after China. Huge quantity of produce is wasted due to inadequate facilities for preservation as only 1.5 to 2% of the total produce is processed in the country. Fruit and vegetable preservation is thus one of the major pillars of food industry. The food preservation and processing industry has now become a necessity rather than being a luxury. Food is the prime necessity of life and can be classified in different groups according to their nutritional value and function in the body.

1. Energy giving food: Any food which provides energy is classified as energy giving food. One gram of carbohydrate imparts 4 calorie while 1 g of fat provides 9 calorie of energy, e.g., cereals, roots, tubers, dried fruits, sugar, fat etc.

2. Body building food: Foods which are rich in protein are body building foods, e.g., milk, meat, fish, egg are rich in protein of high biological value. Secondly pulses, oil, seeds and nuts etc. are rich in proteins. Though, these proteins contain many essential amino acids for synthesis of body tissues yet may not possess all essential amino acids required for the human body.

3. Protective food: Foods rich in protein, vitamin and minerals are called protective foods, e.g., milk, egg, green leafy vegetables and fruits. Protective foods are of two types. High biological value foods: Foods rich in protein, minerals and vitamin. (e.g., milk) are protective foods of high biological values. Low biological value foods: This group includes foods rich in minerals and vitamins but deficient in proteins (e.g., fruit and vegetables, green leafy vegetables). Thus, fruit and vegetables are characterized as the protective foods of low biological value. They are rich source of carbohydrates, dietary fibre, mineral, vitamins, flavonoids etc.

Status of fruits and vegetables in India

Fruits and vegetables are the important category of horticulture crops grown in our country. Out of total cropped area of 184 million hectare, horticulture crops cover about 20.7 million hectares (about 11.25% of the total gross cropped area). Horticultural crops contribute about 18-20 % of gross value of India agricultural output.

India is the largest producer of mango, banana and lime. The country produces 41% of world mangoes, 23% banana, 24% cashew nut and accounts for 12% of world fruit production (MOFPI, 2009). Mango, grapes, apple, onion, potato, green vegetables like okra, bitter gourd and green chilies are the major items of export.

India also exported 9.53 lakh tonnes of processed foods comprising of mango pulp, juices, concentrates, dried and processed vegetables, pickle and chutney, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages worth Rs 2,757.74 crores (APEDA, 2007)

1. Fruits: Owing to wide diversity of agro-climatic conditions, almost all types of fruits are grown in the country.

• ·       Temperate fruits: Apple, pear, peach, plum, apricot, cherries, almond, walnut and other nuts).
• ·       Subtropical fruits: Mango, guava, papaya and citrus etc.
• ·       Tropical fruits: Banana, pineapple, sapota, litchi and grapes etc.
• ·       Arid fruits: Pomegranate, fig, phalsa, ber and aonla etc.
• ·       Plantation crops: Coconut, cashewnut, and arecanut etc.

2. Vegetables: More than 40 kinds of vegetables are produced in our country. India comprises the prime position in cauliflower, second in onion and third in cabbage in the world. The country produces 36% green peas, 30% cauliflower and 10% onion and thus, accounts for 13% of total vegetable production in the world (MOFPI, 2009).

3. Status of fruit and vegetables processing industry in India

The food processing industry in India accounts for 14% of the total industrial output with 6.3% contribution in the national GDP. The food processing industry plays an important role in the Indian economy and is establishing as one of the largest sector in terms of production as well as returns. The installed capacity of processing fruit and vegetable in our country from more than 6600 FPO licensed units is about 3.85 million tonnes which is less than 2% of total fruit and vegetable production against 60-83% in many horticultural advanced countries like 60-70% in USA, 70% in Brazil, 78% in Philippines, 80% Saudi Arabia and 83% in Malaysia. Further, the actual production of processed products from these units stood at only 1.33 million tonnes which accounts for less than 35% capacity utilization of the installed processing units.

Importance of post-harvest technology

• Fresh fruits and vegetables (F&V) have been part of human diet since the dawn of the history. The systematic nutritional value of the some F & V was recognized in the early 17th century in England. One example is the ability of the citrus fruit to cure scurvy, a disease widespread among naval personnel. An example of the importance of the field to post-harvest handling is the discovery that ripening of fruit can be delayed, and thus their storage prolonged, by preventing fruit tissue respiration. The knowledge of the fundamental principles and mechanisms of respiration, leading to post-harvest storage techniques such as cold storage, gaseous storage, and waxy skin coatings. Another well-known example is the finding that ripening may be brought on by treatment with ethylene. Fruits and vegetables are being rich in vitamins and minerals, known as protective foods. Due to their high nutritive valve, ready availability, and being inexpensive they make significantly contributes to human well-being. Realizing the worth of fruits and vegetables in human health ICMR recommend consumption of 120g of fruits and 280g of vegetables per capita per day.
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• Ø         F&V are rich in ascorbic acid which have beneficial effects of wound healing and antioxidant. Dietary source of Vit. C is essential, since human beings lack the ability to synthesize it.
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• Ø         Some F&V are excellent source of beta -carotene (provitamin A) which is essential for the maintenance of eyes health; and folic acid which prevents anemia.
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• Ø         These also prevent degenerative diseases which are prevalent in people with sedentary lifestyle. Concern about obesity and coronary heart diseases have led to reduced levels of fat intake. Antioxidants, phenolic compounds and dietary fiber are considered to be beneficial in reducing risk of various cancers.
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• Ø     Many F&V have neutraceuticals properties.
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• India is endowed with varied climatic conditions ranging from tropical and sub-tropical in plains to temperate in mountainous terrain which help in producing more than 90 types of fruits and vegetable individually. Further, owing to relentless efforts made by Government of India and gallop development made in science and technology of horticulture, India has now emerged as the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables after China. As per National Horticulture Database, 2011, 6.38 million hectares and 8.5 million hectares area were under occupancy of fruits and vegetables cultivation, respectively. The total production during the year 2011 was of the order of 74.88 million metric tonnes fruits and 146.55 million tonnes vegetables. India accounts for about 22 % of global production of fruits and vegetables. It has self-exultation of having largest area and production in mango, accounting to 66% of world's production: holding record of highest productivity of grape; contributing to of banana and 12% of onion production; third largest producer of coconut; largest exporter of cashewnut and having stand in spice trade. Inspite of these, the recommended per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables is not upto the mark. As against recommended intake 120 g fruits and 280 g vegetables per capita per day, barely, 46 g fruits and 120 g vegetables are available to native population. Such situation creates a paradox that what owes to less availability of fruits and vegetables, though, production scenario of these commodities are appreciable. The situation also pose a question that why our standing in global export trade is so poor? India's share in global trade of horticulture produce is 0.6  % only. Out of many reasons assigned to the situation, poor post-harvest handling is strong one of them. In India, less than 2% of total production of fruits and vegetables are processed. The figures is 65% US, 70% in Brazil, 78 % in Philippines, 80 % in South Africa and 83 in Malaysia in The extent of value addition is only 7% in India as against 23% in China and 88 % in UK. Due to inadequate post-harvest handling (20-30 % of horticultural produce is lost annualy. Such losses in terms of monetary value goes to about Rs. 7.000 crore per annum. This loss of great magnum not only robs the labour and resources but also regurgitates a big profit of the farmers. Managing post-harvest losses is very much important. Preservation of the produce is one of the ways to control post-harvest losses very often encountered.
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• F & V provide variety in the diet through difference in colour, shape, taste, aroma and texture that distinguish from the other major food groups of grains, meats and dairy products. Sensory appeal of F&V is not confined to consumption but also has market value. Diversity in their colour and shape is used by traders in arranging product displays to attract potential purchasers; and chefs have traditionally used F & V to enhance the attractiveness of the prepared dishes or table presentations; to adorn meat displays and F & V carvings have becomes an art.
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• The ornamental provide sensory pleasure and serenity, derived from the colors, shape and aroma of individual species. Garden plants, cut flowers, foliage and flowering plants are increasingly used in exterior and interior decoration. Considerable commercial opportunities arise from their role in social, religious and economic ceremonies and special greeting occasion such as festivals, Valentine’s day and others occasion.

Scope and importance of fruit crops

Fruit growing is one of the important and age old practices, practiced in India since ancient times. Cultivation of fruit crops plays an important role in overall status of the mankind and the nation. The standard of living of the people of a country is depending upon the production and per capita consumption of fruits. Fruit growing have more economic advantages.

I. Economic importance.

• Ø High productivity: High yield per unit area: From a unit area of land more yield is realized from fruit crops than any of the agronomic crops. The average yields of Papaya, Banana and Grapes are 10 to 15 times than that of agronomic crops.
• Ø High net profit: Through, the initial cost of establishment of an orchard is high, it is compensated by higher net profit due to higher productivity or high value of produce.
• E.g.- Wheat/GN/Ragi- 3.0 -4.0 tonnes/ha-25-35,000-00,
• Grapes/Mango/Banana-20-40t/ha-1.5-2.5 lakh/ha.
• Ø Source of raw material for agro based industries: Fruit farming provides raw materials for various agro based industries- canning and preservation (fresh fruits), coir industries (coconut husk), pharmaceutical industry (Aonla, Papaya, Jamun) Transporting and packaging industries etc.
• Ø Efficient utilization of resources: Growing of fruits being perennial in nature, enables grower to remain engaged throughout the year in farm operations and to utilize fully the resources & assets like machinery, labour, land water for production purpose throughout the year compared to agronomic crops.
• Ø Utilization of waste and barren lands for production: Although, most of the fruits crops require perennial irrigation and good soil for production, there are many fruit crops of hardy in nature, Mango, Ber, Cashew, Custard apple, Aonla, Phalsa, Jamun etc. which are grown on poor shallow, undulated soils considered unsuitable for growing grain/ agronomical crops.
• Ø Foreign exchange: Many fresh fruits, processed products and spices are exported to several countries earning good amount of foreign exchange.

II. Nutritional importance

• Ø Importance of fruits in human diet is well recognized. Man cannot live on cereals alone.
• Ø Fruits and vegetables are essential for balanced diet and good health.
• Ø Nutritionist advocates 60-85g of fruits and 360 gm.
• Ø Vegetables per capita per day in addition to cereals, pulses, egg etc.
• Ø Fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals without which human body cannot maintain proper health and develop resistance to disease they also contain pectin, cellulose, fats, proteins etc.

Fruits- as sources of vitamins

• ·       Vitamin-A- Mango, Papaya, Jack, Banana, Dates.
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• ·       Vitamin-B- Cashew nut, Almond, Banana, Apple, Bale, Litchi, Papaya and Pomegranate.
• ·       Vitamin-C- Aonla, Citrus fruits, Pineapple, Ber, Guava, Strawberry, Tamarind etc.
• Fruits as a source of minerals such as Ca, Fe, P- the fruits are- Almond, Cashew, Guava, Jamun, Fig, Karonda, and Mango.
• Digestive enzymes- Papaya- papaine-9, proteolitic enzyme.
• Fruits have medicinal value: The fruits like aonla pomegranate, Kokum, Jamun, Bael, Ber. etc, have great medicinal value,
• ·       Papaya reduces night blindness,
• ·       Citrus juice reduce acute diorrhea,
• ·       Aonla triphala (chawan prash)- digestion.
• ·       Jack fruit (Jackoline)- prevents Aids.

Other importance

• ·       Fruit growing in kitchen gardens helps to reduce family budget on purchase of fruits.
• ·       Planting of fruits trees, maintains ecological balance and to increase precipitation of the locality.
• ·       Fruit tree farming also reduces soil erosion, silting and air pollution.
• ·       Generate employment being highly intensive & skillful enterprise generates employment even for trained persons.

Role of Post-harvest technology

    PHT – Importance and Role

    1. PH Loss reduction

    2. Value addition

    3. Contribution to the Economy

    4. Making availability of fruits and vegetables during off seasons

    5. Tools for export earnings

    6. Employment generation

    7. Adding variety in taste and nutrition

    8. Waste utilization

    9. Home scale preservation

    10. Supply of food to the defense forces

    11. Special canned fruits for infants & children’s

    12. Food supplier to the Astronauts

    Role of Post harvest Technologist

• To provide quality, nutritious and safe food
• To develop new product & technologies - Discoveries - The best example for the highest post harvest life in the nature is the Swiss Apple - Uttwiler Spatlauber, is well known for its excellent storability; it can stay fresh looking for up to four months after being harvested. However, it has not been widely cultivated because of its sour taste. Innovation –biotechnology has been used to extend the storage life in tomato and developed variety called FLAVR SAVR ™,- using technology to reduce the activity of the enzyme endopolygalcturonase, which involved in the cell wall breakdown during ripening and fruit will remain firmer during ripening on and off the plant.
• To develop new equipment and determine their efficiency.
  

• RAKESH KUMAR PATTNAIK                                                                                       

  Department of Horticulturee)))