Post harvest technology is inter-disciplinary “Science and Technique” applied to agricultural produce after harvest for its protection, conservation, processing, packaging, distribution, marketing, and utilization to meet the food and nutritional requirements of the people in relation to their needs. It has to develop in consonance with the needs of each society to stimulate agricultural production; prevent post-harvest losses, improve nutrition and add value to the products. In this process, it must be able to generate employment, reduce poverty and stimulate growth of other related economic sectors. Importance of Post-harvest technology lies in the fact that it has capability to meet food requirement of growing population by eliminating avoidable losses making more nutritive food items from low grade raw commodity by proper processing and fortification, diverting portion of food material being fed to cattle by way of processing and fortifying low grade food and organic wastes and by-products into nutritive animal feed. This book incorporates information on postharvest management, principles involved in preparation of various products as well as methodology involved in home scale as well as industrial processing of cereals, pulses oilseeds fruits and vegetables. General terminologies used in the food science and technology are also included in this book. This book has been mainly designed to serve as a text and reference book for the students in the field of Food Science and Technology, Postharvest technology, horticulture, nutrition and professionals in food industries.
