PostHarvest Technology - Topic 1 Introduction

Topic 1 Introduction

Topic 1: Post Harvest Technology

Introduction
Despite the remarkable progress made in increasing food production at the global level, approximately half of the population in the Third World does not
have access to adequate food supplies. There are many reasons for this, one of which is food losses occurring in the post-harvest and marketing system.
Evidence suggests that these losses tend to be highest in those countries where the need for food is greatest. Both quantitative and qualitative food losses of
extremely variable magnitude occur at all stages in the post-harvest system from harvesting, through handling, storage, processing and marketing to final
delivery to the consumer. Estimates of the post-harvest losses of food grains in the developing world from mishandling, spoilage and pest infestation are put
at 25 percent; this means that one-quarter of what is produced never reaches the consumer for whom it was grown, and the effort and money required to
produce it are lost-forever. Fruit, vegetables and root crops are much less hardy and are most quickly perishable, and if care is not taken in their harvesting,
handling and transport, they will soon decay and become unfit for human consumption.
Estimates of production losses in developing countries are hard to judge, but some authorities put losses of sweet potatoes, plantain, tomatoes, bananas and
citrus fruitto as high as 50 percent, or half of what is grown. Reduction in this wastage, particularly if it can economically be avoided, would be of great
significance to growers and consumers alike. To reduce these losses producers and handlers must first understand the biological and environmental factors
involved in deterioration. And second, use postharvest techniques that delay senescence and maintain the best possible quality.

What is Post-Harvest Technology?

Post-harvest technologies constitute an inter-disciplinary science and techniques applied to agricultural commodities after harvest for the
purpose of preservation, conservation, quality control/enhancement, processing, packaging, storage, distribution, marketing, and
utilization to meet the food and nutritional requirements of consumers in relation to their needs. Post-harvest technology stimulates
agricultural production, prevents post-harvest losses, improves nutrition and adds value to agricultural products thereby opening new
marketing opportunities and generating new jobs while stimulating growth of other related economic sectors. The process developing
post-harvest technologies requires an interdisciplinary and multidimensional research approach, which includes scientific creativity,
technological innovation, and commercial entrepreneurship and stakeholder inputs.
Answers

http://cms.cnr.edu.bt/cms/postharvest/?Topic_1_Introduction[27/05/2015 01:25:01 PM]