AICRP on Post Harvest Technology,-Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology, near GRD Academy, Hambran Road, Ludhiana-141008.
A critical review of the research contributions of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Post Harvest Technology has been presented in this paper. It deals with the mandate of the AICRP, Cooperating Centres and technologies developed. The ICAR, in late 1960s had realized that technological support to farmers, and rural entrepreneurs was essential to bring about parity in their bargaining strengths against the trade sector. The Project has been one of the first in Indian R&D scenario to focus attention on the post harvest technology needs of the farmers and small scale processors. During the VIII Five-Year Plan period, it had 18 cooperating centres located in different parts of the country. In 25 years of its existence it has developed 125 technologies These include recommending optimum time of harvesting for various crops for increased yields package of practices for early harvesting; design development adoption and commercialization of equipment; and technologies for cleaning grading drying, conditioning dehulling, dehuksking, shelling, puffing flaking sizing grinding extraction by-product/residue utilization storage and packaging During the IX Five-Year Plan period the Project will focus on reduction in post harvest losses value addition, by-product utilization, energy saving, drudgery minimization and improvements in the quality of life of workers. The thrust will include; (1) refinement and commercialization of developed promising technologies, (2) development of agro-processing models and network of agro-processing enterprises for different agro-climatic conditions, (3) evolve improved designs for mechanization of grain, fruits, and vegetables markets, and (4) technology adaptation in frontier areas of PHT. Fixing physical targets by the cooperating centres for themselves, is expected to facilitate clarity in goals, and hence better productivity.
