Mr. V. Narasimharaju, Managing Director, Coldspace Agrotech India Pvt Ltd, Malkajgiri district, Telangana, talks about post-harvest technologies in banana.
What is organised technology market? I will take banana as an example. Earlier people used to cut banana in whole bunches and transport them by lorries. Now we use safe ethylene ripening, cold chain and storage, because it is the most economical and safe method to last for a long time. Now the trader or the consumer themselves are going with crates to the farmer to pick banana bunches and loading in the lorry. And after making the payment to the farmers, lorries are moving from the field. So the organisation system is working in this fashion. It happens so with all the growers. Generally, farmers are less aware of market needs. They feel whatever they grow market should accept. This is not a good idea. Farmers should know the preferences of the market such as size, colour, type of packing, and taste of the fruit. Only then they will get better price for their produce. The cold chains are useful in cases such as the market prices is not profitable, they are unable to sell the produce on the particular day, or sometimes transport may not be available on a particular day, and the farmers are unable to send the produce to the market. It is also important to know that the farmers should avail loans from financial institutions on short or long term basis. There are many such lending institutions in the country. They will support the funding for the agriculturists.
We can do all these things when we have proper infrastructure which is a very important aspect of agriculture. Infrastructure and organisation are important. Infrastructure is the place available easily. In the absence of infrastructure, the process will be done in a hurried pace, harvest, transporting and marketing will be done at a rapid pace. It will incur lot of losses for the farmers. To prevail over the losses, infrastructure is needed. Loss is not only to the farmers or traders, or consumers, but also there will be loss of natural resources. All these are impacting the economy. We superficially observe, and we do not visualise the losses. If we deeply analyse there are many such dimensions of our losses. If u want to prevent this losses and in turn make the farmer rich, we have to organise the whole setup.
There is an organised market and proper technology, and these are what they need - post-harvest technologies. These are not fully available at the farmer level in India now, but we are a growing economy. For example, our banana since the last 10 years has shown nearly 400% growth, especially the export quality ones. But there is also one more thing we should take into cognisance is the dark side of technology. Because of the technology, some traders are getting fruits that have not matured enough to be sold to public. This is a not a general trend though. We need commercial maturity of 70 to 80% of fruits, but some traders are converting the fruits into dozens and want small fruits. That is profitable to them. But this is not correct as they are indiscriminately using inappropriate technology. So such steps are what we observe generally in agriculture.
There are production, practices, processing, and promotion. These are the 4 main steps in agriculture. Now we are talking about promotion. The promotion means after harvesting we need proper care. Picking of fruits, bunches cutting, packing in foam, or crates or cartons, transport wherever the traders want, and for these the post-harvest technologies are needed. By using these technologies, we can reduce the losses, and there will be benefits to farmer, trader, and consumer.
What is the duration up to which u can keep the banana in storage?
At 13 degree temperature, we can store for one month if we are using vacuum packing. We also use ethylene sucking sachets for prolong shelf life.
Are you using drip irrigation for banana?
Yes. I am using drip irrigation for the bananas.
Are you giving double row laterals or single row lateral?
Based on the soil quality it is done. In case of black cotton soil, single row lateral is used. In red soil we use both. I personally prefer 5 x 9 spacing and have 1000 trees. 5 x 7 also goes well as also 5 x 8 or 5 x 9.
Are they high density variety such as G 9 variety?
I do not have much of experience in farming. These are my observations. Yes, we have local varieties also.
How do post-harvest technologies help in extending the shelf life of bananas?
There is a total packaging activities meaning such as generally when we plan transport there is every chance for night transport to avoid sunlight, and we use the crates, wash it with fungicide, natural fungicide, generally alum or soap water so that we reduce the losses. Weight loss and rotting both type of losses we can reduce. In traditional way, generally the loss is about 20 to 30%. In modern methods our loss is weight loss is 3 to 4 % and rotting 1 to 2%. Total 7 % loss only we incur by using modern technology. In traditional methods, we lose nearly 20 to 30%.
What are the common methods used to control ripening in harvested bananas?
After unloading raw fruit, we give free cooling aid for 12 hrs based on the season. In monsoon and winter we give less hours, and in summer we generally put banana free cooling for 10 to 12 hrs. After getting fruit inside with core temperature of 18 degrees which is a receptive stage, we release ethylene for 24 hour at 150 – 200 ptm based on the maturity of fruits. After 24 hours, we keep the door open and release carbon-di-oxide. And then after 2 days, we observe the fruits if it is necessary we give booster dose after 24 hours and otherwise after 3 days, it will get 50% colour. Generally, the market needs this type of colour. 50% we market the ripened fruits to vendors. This is the method.
Could you explain the significance of proper packaging in banana post-harvest management?
Packaging is customised. Some customers ask for crates, and some prefer cartons. Export quality is done in cartons. That is customised.
What roles do humidity and temperature play in post-harvest handling of bananas?
Both have a vital role. Generally, in traditional methods, fruit releases CO2, which extracts heat from surrounding areas. As a result, the heap of fruits easily get spoil and have short duration of shelf life. They spoil and get wasted. So in modern ripening chambers, we practise 18 degree Celsius. So it is very cool with relative humidity of 85 to 90 percent. With relative humidity and low temperature, banana weight loss is very less. and the fruits get aroma and quality firmness. All these positive qualities are very high and have market acceptance also.
How are ethylene and controlled atmosphere storage used in banana preservation?
Generally, at 18 degree temperature and 85 to 90% humidity, Carbon di Oxide at less than 40 ppm, ethylene at 150 to 200 ppm for 24 hours can be used based on maturity of fruits and area. All areas are not similar such as Nanded in Maharashtra., or Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh, or Yeluru in Andhra Pradesh. Every fruit has its own characteristic. We can regulate that.
What challenges are associated with controlling diseases and pests in stored bananas?
Controlling diseases and pests in stored bananas depends on the farmers’ practices. Generally Anthracnose is a major fungal disease affecting bananas. In practice, if the farmer is not following the good practices, Anthracnose severely affects the fruit ripening. After the fruits get maturity with sugars, Anthracnose appears on the skin, with black spots on the skin, and such fruits are not suitable for market. Generally, after 7 to 9 days, after softening of fruits it appears, but sometimes it comes within 2 to 3 days also, and it is a horrible scenario for the vendor. Sometimes it is also a loss for them.
What is the importance of quality grading and sorting in banana post-harvest management?
Sorting and grading are very important to market the produce. Generally in Indian market, everyone wants the low price and so mix each of them. They want low price, and generally sitaphal and some more Indian fruits, they arrange the good ones on the top, small, and bad ones below the crate or carton. But everyone knows about that, but these practices are not good for the industry. Everyone should know and educate the farmers about all these types of indiscriminate usages. One more thing is volumetric. Suppose we take small bananas 8 pieces in one kg, for 1.5 kg about 12 pieces will be there. So the price of one dozen fruits is Rs. 30. If we take big ones, 6 pieces will be there in one kg, and so a dozen will cost Rs. 40. So we get Rs. 10 more in big bananas. So all traders want small ones and immature fruits so that they get good money in volumetric. They want immature fruits, we will find that generally road side vendors and push cart vendors want small ones and immature ones. This is a bad practice in our market. We need to eradicate all these practises.
How can post harvest technologies benefit small scale banana farmers in reducing losses?
This is useful for small scale farmers. In older times people went to market to get them. But now our traders and entrepreneurs and ripening chamber owners are going to the field with crates, they cut the banana hands and arrange in crates. Then they pay the farmer at farmgate. In this way, the farmer is benefited.
Could you outline steps involved in washing and disinfecting harvested bananas?
Washing means, if there is some small dust on surface of banana, there is a need to wash and grade it. Generally the upper hands of the banana are long and the lower hands small. So we should separate them, grade them, grading and sorting we should do. So while exporting bananas, they count hands per carton which will be about 5 to 7 hands. The grading of all these hands’ size and length of fruit are counted. Generally in export quality, they want more than 18 cms length and round for 12 cm. Such types of fruits are graded, washed, sorted, and packed. And packaging is very important in post-harvest technology. India in the last 10 years has seen increase in exports by 400 %. It will increase further also. Banana is a promising crop to Indian agriculture.
Ch V Narasimharaju
Managing Director
Coldspace agrotech India Pvt. Ltd.
Mediciti Hospital road, Rajabollram
Medchal mandal, Malkajgiri District Telangana 501401
Email : chvnraju6789@gmail.com
Phone : 9676486789
What is organised technology market? I will take banana as an example. Earlier people used to cut banana in whole bunches and transport them by lorries. Now we use safe ethylene ripening, cold chain and storage, because it is the most economical and safe method to last for a long time. Now the trader or the consumer themselves are going with crates to the farmer to pick banana bunches and loading in the lorry. And after making the payment to the farmers, lorries are moving from the field. So the organisation system is working in this fashion. It happens so with all the growers. Generally, farmers are less aware of market needs. They feel whatever they grow market should accept. This is not a good idea. Farmers should know the preferences of the market such as size, colour, type of packing, and taste of the fruit. Only then they will get better price for their produce. The cold chains are useful in cases such as the market prices is not profitable, they are unable to sell the produce on the particular day, or sometimes transport may not be available on a particular day, and the farmers are unable to send the produce to the market. It is also important to know that the farmers should avail loans from financial institutions on short or long term basis. There are many such lending institutions in the country. They will support the funding for the agriculturists.
We can do all these things when we have proper infrastructure which is a very important aspect of agriculture. Infrastructure and organisation are important. Infrastructure is the place available easily. In the absence of infrastructure, the process will be done in a hurried pace, harvest, transporting and marketing will be done at a rapid pace. It will incur lot of losses for the farmers. To prevail over the losses, infrastructure is needed. Loss is not only to the farmers or traders, or consumers, but also there will be loss of natural resources. All these are impacting the economy. We superficially observe, and we do not visualise the losses. If we deeply analyse there are many such dimensions of our losses. If u want to prevent this losses and in turn make the farmer rich, we have to organise the whole setup.
There is an organised market and proper technology, and these are what they need - post-harvest technologies. These are not fully available at the farmer level in India now, but we are a growing economy. For example, our banana since the last 10 years has shown nearly 400% growth, especially the export quality ones. But there is also one more thing we should take into cognisance is the dark side of technology. Because of the technology, some traders are getting fruits that have not matured enough to be sold to public. This is a not a general trend though. We need commercial maturity of 70 to 80% of fruits, but some traders are converting the fruits into dozens and want small fruits. That is profitable to them. But this is not correct as they are indiscriminately using inappropriate technology. So such steps are what we observe generally in agriculture.
There are production, practices, processing, and promotion. These are the 4 main steps in agriculture. Now we are talking about promotion. The promotion means after harvesting we need proper care. Picking of fruits, bunches cutting, packing in foam, or crates or cartons, transport wherever the traders want, and for these the post-harvest technologies are needed. By using these technologies, we can reduce the losses, and there will be benefits to farmer, trader, and consumer.
What is the duration up to which u can keep the banana in storage?
At 13 degree temperature, we can store for one month if we are using vacuum packing. We also use ethylene sucking sachets for prolong shelf life.
Are you using drip irrigation for banana?
Yes. I am using drip irrigation for the bananas.
Are you giving double row laterals or single row lateral?
Based on the soil quality it is done. In case of black cotton soil, single row lateral is used. In red soil we use both. I personally prefer 5 x 9 spacing and have 1000 trees. 5 x 7 also goes well as also 5 x 8 or 5 x 9.
Are they high density variety such as G 9 variety?
I do not have much of experience in farming. These are my observations. Yes, we have local varieties also.
How do post-harvest technologies help in extending the shelf life of bananas?
There is a total packaging activities meaning such as generally when we plan transport there is every chance for night transport to avoid sunlight, and we use the crates, wash it with fungicide, natural fungicide, generally alum or soap water so that we reduce the losses. Weight loss and rotting both type of losses we can reduce. In traditional way, generally the loss is about 20 to 30%. In modern methods our loss is weight loss is 3 to 4 % and rotting 1 to 2%. Total 7 % loss only we incur by using modern technology. In traditional methods, we lose nearly 20 to 30%.
What are the common methods used to control ripening in harvested bananas?
After unloading raw fruit, we give free cooling aid for 12 hrs based on the season. In monsoon and winter we give less hours, and in summer we generally put banana free cooling for 10 to 12 hrs. After getting fruit inside with core temperature of 18 degrees which is a receptive stage, we release ethylene for 24 hour at 150 – 200 ptm based on the maturity of fruits. After 24 hours, we keep the door open and release carbon-di-oxide. And then after 2 days, we observe the fruits if it is necessary we give booster dose after 24 hours and otherwise after 3 days, it will get 50% colour. Generally, the market needs this type of colour. 50% we market the ripened fruits to vendors. This is the method.
Could you explain the significance of proper packaging in banana post-harvest management?
Packaging is customised. Some customers ask for crates, and some prefer cartons. Export quality is done in cartons. That is customised.
What roles do humidity and temperature play in post-harvest handling of bananas?
Both have a vital role. Generally, in traditional methods, fruit releases CO2, which extracts heat from surrounding areas. As a result, the heap of fruits easily get spoil and have short duration of shelf life. They spoil and get wasted. So in modern ripening chambers, we practise 18 degree Celsius. So it is very cool with relative humidity of 85 to 90 percent. With relative humidity and low temperature, banana weight loss is very less. and the fruits get aroma and quality firmness. All these positive qualities are very high and have market acceptance also.
How are ethylene and controlled atmosphere storage used in banana preservation?
Generally, at 18 degree temperature and 85 to 90% humidity, Carbon di Oxide at less than 40 ppm, ethylene at 150 to 200 ppm for 24 hours can be used based on maturity of fruits and area. All areas are not similar such as Nanded in Maharashtra., or Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh, or Yeluru in Andhra Pradesh. Every fruit has its own characteristic. We can regulate that.
What challenges are associated with controlling diseases and pests in stored bananas?
Controlling diseases and pests in stored bananas depends on the farmers’ practices. Generally Anthracnose is a major fungal disease affecting bananas. In practice, if the farmer is not following the good practices, Anthracnose severely affects the fruit ripening. After the fruits get maturity with sugars, Anthracnose appears on the skin, with black spots on the skin, and such fruits are not suitable for market. Generally, after 7 to 9 days, after softening of fruits it appears, but sometimes it comes within 2 to 3 days also, and it is a horrible scenario for the vendor. Sometimes it is also a loss for them.
What is the importance of quality grading and sorting in banana post-harvest management?
Sorting and grading are very important to market the produce. Generally in Indian market, everyone wants the low price and so mix each of them. They want low price, and generally sitaphal and some more Indian fruits, they arrange the good ones on the top, small, and bad ones below the crate or carton. But everyone knows about that, but these practices are not good for the industry. Everyone should know and educate the farmers about all these types of indiscriminate usages. One more thing is volumetric. Suppose we take small bananas 8 pieces in one kg, for 1.5 kg about 12 pieces will be there. So the price of one dozen fruits is Rs. 30. If we take big ones, 6 pieces will be there in one kg, and so a dozen will cost Rs. 40. So we get Rs. 10 more in big bananas. So all traders want small ones and immature fruits so that they get good money in volumetric. They want immature fruits, we will find that generally road side vendors and push cart vendors want small ones and immature ones. This is a bad practice in our market. We need to eradicate all these practises.
How can post harvest technologies benefit small scale banana farmers in reducing losses?
This is useful for small scale farmers. In older times people went to market to get them. But now our traders and entrepreneurs and ripening chamber owners are going to the field with crates, they cut the banana hands and arrange in crates. Then they pay the farmer at farmgate. In this way, the farmer is benefited.
Could you outline steps involved in washing and disinfecting harvested bananas?
Washing means, if there is some small dust on surface of banana, there is a need to wash and grade it. Generally the upper hands of the banana are long and the lower hands small. So we should separate them, grade them, grading and sorting we should do. So while exporting bananas, they count hands per carton which will be about 5 to 7 hands. The grading of all these hands’ size and length of fruit are counted. Generally in export quality, they want more than 18 cms length and round for 12 cm. Such types of fruits are graded, washed, sorted, and packed. And packaging is very important in post-harvest technology. India in the last 10 years has seen increase in exports by 400 %. It will increase further also. Banana is a promising crop to Indian agriculture.
Ch V Narasimharaju
Managing Director
Coldspace agrotech India Pvt. Ltd.
Mediciti Hospital road, Rajabollram
Medchal mandal, Malkajgiri District Telangana 501401
Email : chvnraju6789@gmail.com
Phone : 9676486789