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Training on Post-harvest Management of Fruits and Vegetables organized by CHES (ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar

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Considering the significance of post-harvest operations in enhancing market value of produce and reducing post-harvest loss, a Training program on “Post-harvest Management of Fruits and Vegetables” was organized by CHES (ICAR-IIHR) on March 25, 2021, under Tribal Sub Plan and RKVY project. The program was attended by more than 30 tribal farmers of Kashipur (Rayagada) and Mohana (Gajapati). While addressing the program, Dr. G. C. Acharya, Head I/c, highlighted the significance of post-harvest management in fruits and vegetables. He advised the farmers to adopt feasible post-harvest operations at field level such as washing, grading, and hot water treatment of mango and banana. He also requested farmers to avail post-harvest facilities available at the CHES, Bhubaneswar for income enhancement. Dr. Kundan Kishore highlighted the importance of fruit ripening with ethylene gas in supply chain as it is the only recommended artificial method of fruit ripening by the government. He also emphasized not to use carbide and ethrel which are  not only unsafe but also prohibited. The importance of hot water treatment and grading in export market was also highlighted.  Dr. P Srinivas emphasized the minimal processing of raw jackfruit to fetch high market price. He told that jackfruit has great potential in enhancing the income of small farmers as the crop can be used for preparation of various products. Dr. G. Sangeetha highlighted the measures for management of post-harvest diseases in fruits. Tribal farmers Sh. Hutashan, Kashipur and Smt. Jhunu Mallik, Mohana, shared their views about potential of hot water treatment in mango and processing of raw jackfruit, respectively, in income enhancement.

The participants were demonstrated with ethylene gas-induced fruit ripening hot water treatment of fruits, sorting, washing, and grading of fruits, and minimal processing of raw jackfruit. Artificial ripening and hot water treatment of banana and grading of mango was demonstrated.  Participants felt the need of post-harvest facilities near their sites of fruit production, to ensure better market value. During the field visits, performance of promising varieties of fruits and vegetables,  high density plantation of mango, intercropping   system in fruit crops, crop cafeteria, dragon fruit cultivation, were demonstrated to participants. The program was coordinated by Dr. Kundan Kishore and Dr. P. Srinivas with the help of project workers. The financial support of the Govt. of Odisha in establishing   post-harvest facilities at the station was duly acknowledged .