Modern Solutions in Post Harvest Management
In today's era, where technology has made significant advancements, the use of modern technologies in post-harvest management has become essential. Post-harvest management plays a vital role in maintaining the quality and shelf-life of crops after they have been harvested. With the integration of modern technologies, the efficiency of the post-harvest management process has improved significantly.
According to recent research, India lost about 5-13% of its fruits & vegetables, and 3-7% of other crops in the post-harvest phase. This loss translates to over Rs 1,52,000 crores. To provide for the growing demand for food, India produced 23% more grains in FY22, but the post-harvest losses have reduced only by 1%.
The rising demand for high-quality food items and the need to preserve agri-produce in the post-harvest phase has led to the adoption of innovative technologies. Post-harvest technology has many important benefits:
1) Extended Shelf Life
Year after year, farmers lose their precious farm produce to early expiration. This not only causes damage to the reputation of the farmers but also adds to the millions of tons of food waste every year. The farmers must take necessary steps to extend shelf life by implementing procedures like improvement of post-harvest treatment, post-harvest handling procedures, packaging, etc.
2) Determines Taste and Appearance of Food
For any crop or produce to be pleasing to the end consumer, the texture, colour, and flavour play a vital role. People tend to judge the quality of their food with their eyes. In this context, it is of utmost importance for farmers to preserve the aroma and texture of their produce to give a positive experience to the end consumer. A successful post-harvest solution can ensure this.
3) Protects the Produce From Contamination
Post-harvest management allows farmers to protect their commodities from animals and pests. Thereby helping them to prevent significant losses in drying, storing, and transporting produce.
4) Aids Food Security and Reduces Food Wastage
Post-harvest management technology contributes to food security through reduction of losses and waste. This can increase the amount of food farmers produce in both urban and rural areas. The world population is increasing steadily, which means there will be more mouths to feed. Reduction in food wastage due to poor post-harvest management will help in rising to meet the growing demand.
Post-harvest system involves a sequence of activities and operations that help in handling the crops after the harvest. The necessity of this system is to ensure that farmers can preserve their produce from contamination until it reaches the end consumer. Let’s take a look at few common solutions in the post-harvest system:
Agricultural Elevators
Agricultural Elevators are built to carry large amounts of crops in a short amount of time. The agricultural industry depends on efficient transportation to deliver yields on time and reduce spoilage. This is where these elevators shine, with their speed and convenience. Another advantage is their versatility. Agricultural elevators can be customized according to the specific needs of the crops. This allows for the safe and secure post-harvest handling of fragile produce, like fruits and vegetables, without damaging them.
Belt Conveyors
Belt conveyors are automated devices that are used to transport items along a production line. From seeds, grains, and fruits to animal feed and fertilizer, they are used to transport everything. By streamlining the production process, cutting labour costs, and raising output, this ground-breaking technology has completely transformed the agriculture industry. In post-harvest management, belt conveyors offer a variety of advantages.
Farmers can satisfy the demands of the expanding population in a cost-effective and sustainable manner by streamlining the production process, decreasing labour costs, and boosting productivity. It is obvious that any agricultural firm would be sensible to invest in belt conveyors.
Vegetable Washers
A vegetable washer is essential to agricultural production because it guarantees that the vegetables are clean and free of waste before they are sold. This gadget is a crucial component of the farming sector and is present in most contemporary farms all around the world. The vegetable washer works by spraying the crops repeatedly with a high-pressure water jet. This procedure aids in clearing the surface of the veggies of dirt, insects, and other undesirable elements. The surplus water is then shaken off the veggies as they travel down a conveyor belt before drying and packaging.
Rotary Drum Washers
The way agricultural produce is cleaned and processed has been completely changed by the invention of the rotary drum washer. It is a straightforward device made up of a revolving drum that tosses the vegetables while being completely washed inside using water jets. In post-harvest handling, this device may be used in a variety of ways, particularly for post-harvest management. Before fruits and vegetables are sold in the market, for instance, a rotary drum is frequently used to wash them. Produce's quality is enhanced and its shelf life is extended thanks to the rotary drum washer's assistance in removing dirt, dust, and other pollutants.
In conclusion, post-harvest management solutions are a highly beneficial way to reduce post-harvest losses. By effectively implementing post harvest strategies to their agri business, farmers can extend the shelf life of their produce and ensure that there is reduction in food wastage.
SJK Innovations provides various technological solutions under the Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative to efficiently transform the agricultural, aviation, and warehousing sectors. At SJK, we utilize specialized R&D techniques to provide high quality and cost effective innovative solutions and products.
