Post Harvest Management of Horticultural Crops

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

1. To provide quality, nutritious and safe food
2. 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.
3. To develop new equipment and determine their efficiency.