CSIR-CMERI Post-Harvest Technologies for cutting down Huge Losses in Agricultural Produce

What is the News?

CSIR-CMERI has developed various Post-Harvest Technologies to change the Agro-Economy of Nagaland and the North-Eastern States of India.

What is Post-harvest technology?

• Post-harvest technology is a technique applied to agricultural produce after harvest for its protection, conservation, processing, packaging, etc to meet the food and nutritional requirements of the people in relation to their needs.

Post-harvest technology in North-Eastern India:

• North-Eastern states of India have tremendous Geographical Advantages in terms of Farming and Agriculture. There is an abundant potential in harvesting crops such as Tung and Ginger.
• However, despite this Tung Oil is imported from China to India for therapeutic purposes such as asthma and bowel problems such as diarrhoea and constipation
• Moreover, despite India being the largest producer of Ginger, there is wastage of almost 45% of Ginger.
• The reasons for these are the non-availability of suitable harvesting technology and poor skilling Initiatives in the region to equip the farmers with the latest advancements in Farm Mechanization technologies are two of the reasons.

What is the solution to this problem?

CSIR-CMERI has suggested a three-pronged approach to solving the problem of post-harvesting. The approach is:

1. Increasing the Shelf-Life of the Harvest
2. Skill Development of the Farming Community
3. Reduction in Manual Handling of Toxic Crops.

Moreover, CSIR-CMERI has also developed various Post-Harvest Technologies such as Ginger Processing Technology and other technologies to solve the problem of non-availability of suitable harvesting technology.