Agricultural Resources

Post-harvest practices involving processing contribute a great deal to the income and livelihood of Indian farmers. This is how:

-Antidote to Losses: A major part of the produce is lost to the country for post-harvest damage by inadvertent handling, poor storage, and inept transportation. European farmers are suffering huge losses of economic resources due to post-harvest losses. Proper sorting, grading, cleaning, and storage in an effective post-harvest management scheme must, therefore, take the lead in reducing these losses while helping to increase farmers’ returns.

-Higher Quality: Post-harvest handling upgrades the quality and shelf life. Consumers may prefer this quality, and therefore the price in the market may increase.

-Value Addition: Different processes provide raw produce added value. Such processes, for instance, include drying, canning, pasteurization, and freezing; these methods turn raw produce into finished products like juice, jam, and pickles. This adds value and gives farmers alternative income.

-Market Access: Improvement in post-harvest practices allows farmers to gain increased access to multiple markets. The produce being cultivated takes off to other levels, enhancing quality and safety that allows farmers to sell in higher-end markets, meeting high-demand buyers like processors, exporters, and retailers.

-Reduced dependence on middlemen: Value addition activities can sever these ties and reduce futility-reaching middlemen who predominantly determine prices and bargain with farmers on low-cost options. Better prices for produce and incomes shall be realized.

Critical Points Affecting Indian Post-Harvest Practices
Post-harvest losses: There isn’t enough infrastructure regarding cold storages. Poor transport infrastructure and a lack of the presence of processing units thus lead to huge post-harvest losses.

Lack of awareness: Most farmers lack knowledge of suitable post-harvest handling techniques and the need for quality management.

Limited access to technology: Smallholder farmers do not have access to modern post-harvest technologies such as refrigeration, cold storage, and processing equipment.

Lack of market information: Most farmers lack access to market information, which leads to poor decision-making on pricing, marketing channels, and value-addition opportunities.