Post Harvest Handling of Custard Apple

Horticulture plays a significant role in Indian Agriculture. Custard apple (Annona squamosa) is one of the most perishable fruit crop and has a limiting shelf-life of 1 to 2 days. A considerable amount of fruits and vegetables produced in India is lost due to improper post-harvest operations; as a result there is a considerable gap between the gross production and net availability. Lake of appropriate harvesting method, on-farm handling and preservation techniques, improper packaging and transportation system and no availability of cold chain in the entire post-harvest handling operations are some of the major reasons for higher post harvest losses. Post harvest handling losses of custard apple fruit was found in range of 14-28%. India loses about 35-45% of the harvested fruits and vegetables during handling, storage, transportation etc. leading to the loss of Rs. 40,000 crores per year.Greater emphasis need to be given on the training of farmers, creation of infrastructure for cold chain with common facilities for sorting, grading, packing and post harvest treatments in all major markets.