Opportunities of Doubling Farmers Income by Post Harvest Value Addition to Agricultural Produce

Abstract

The governments across the developing countries are facing a challenge of steadily increasing population, maintaining balance in demand and supply of food and upliftment in socio-economic status of farming community. Among the leading developing countries, India has successfully increased agricultural crop production by fourfold, thus having at most potential for adoption of secondary agriculture practices after harvest of farm produce. Post-harvest processing of agricultural produce like milling of cereals and pulses, extraction of oil from oilseed crops, development of value added ready to eat and ready to serve food product etc. not only facilitate efficient utilization of crop produce but also check losses fetching better returns to the farmers/entrepreneurs. Post-harvest processing operations at the production catchment area helps in minimizing post harvest losses, helps in generating employment opportunities in rural areas, purity assured products in turn open window for the developed products to qualify for wider market.