An Overview of Postharvest

Technology of Agricultural
Products
1. Terminologies
 Harvesting
is the deliberate separation of the economic
part from its source (plant, animal, soil or
water).
 Postproduction
is a general term that refers to the handling of
agricultural products from harvest up to the
consumer level.
 Postharvest Technology
is a term applied to scientific operations and
practices that the commodities undergo from
harvest to the point of consumption in order to
maintain the quality, extend shelf life and
reduce losses.
 Marketing
refers to the service rendered in the
preparation and distribution of products from
point of production to point of consumption in
order to gain profit.
 Primary Processing
involves the handling of products to make them
suitable for consumers / manufacturers.
 Secondary Processing
involves the transformation of products into a
final form / appearance which can no longer be
subjected to another change.
 Postharvest Losses
refers to the reduction or waste in terms of
quantity (volume, weight and number) and
quality (wholesomeness, value, nutrients, flavor,
texture, color, appearance) of agricultural
products.
 Agricultural Products
are commodities from plants and animals which
are produced for economic uses of people.
 Perishables
are commodities whose food / aesthetic values
can be maintained for a short period of time
after harvest.
 Durables
are commodities whose food values can be
maintained for a longer period of time after
harvest.
 Industrial Crops
are commodities which undergo primary and
secondary processing to make them more
suitable to consumers / users.
 Meat Products
are commodities obtained from fish, swine,
poultry and other livestock.
 2. Kinds of Agricultural Products
• Perishables – include fruits, vegetables,
cutflowers and some staple root crops.
• Durables – include cereal grains such as rice,
corn, sorghum, and wheat and legumes like
soybeans, mongo and peanuts.
• Industrial Crops – include coffee, cacao, abaca,
coconut, rubber, etc,
• Meat Products – include beef, pork, venison,
poultry meat, fish, etc
 3. Interrelationship of Postharvest
Operations
Harvesting Packinghouse Operations
Transport Primary Processing Storage
Marketing Consumer
 4. Postharvest Losses of Agricultural
Products
• The factors that affect postharvest losses
Biological nature of the product
Some agricultural products are highly
perishable due to their high moisture content,
respiration, and thin dermal covering, making
them susceptible to biological invasion and
environmental stress.
 lack of knowledge on the proper postharvest
technology of agricultural commodities
 insufficient capital and postharvest facilities
Attack by pests, diseases, rodents and other
animals
Climatic factors and seasonality of agricultural
products
 Recommended solutions to minimize
postharvest losses
• Understanding the biological nature of the
products
• Acquisition of knowledge and skills on
appropriate postharvest technology of
agricultural products (through seminars,
trainings, etc)
• Financial assistance and support for postharvest
facilities
• Proper control of biological pest and abiotic
factors
 5. Importance of Postharvest
Technology
• It is a method to augment food production and
supply with immediate impact and less cost.
Results in improving postharvest practices can be
obtained or achieved within a day or week.
• Eliminate hunger and alleviate malnutrition.
• Reduce garbage disposal and environmental
pollution.
• Minimize hazards to human and animal lives.
• Conserve energy that would otherwise be used to
produce and market the same quantity of
agricultural products.