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ISSN 2063-5346
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Post-Harvesting Practices of Steam Generator for Turmeric Boiling in India: Present Status and future strategies

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Pradeep Kumar Kandasamy 1, M. Easwaramoorthi 2 , P.Sandhiyadevi 3
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.10.854

Abstract

The turmeric is an ancient and important spice crop grown in India which has high medicinal value and economic importance in the Indian economy. The post- harvesting processes in turmeric value chain play a vital role in ensuring quality of end product, improving profitability and market acceptance. Investigations of literature revealed that the quality of the turmeric rhizome was predominantly influenced by the type of curing method followed by the drying process. The post-harvesting process of turmeric rhizomes involves cleaning, boiling (curing), drying and polishing to improve the quality of rhizome and to fetch better price for farmers. There are four boiling approaches such as water boiling, cow dung slurry boiling, pressure boiling, and steaming boiling with an open or closed combustion chamber customarily used by farmers. In order to know the type of post-harvesting practices followed by the farmers, an objective is set in this research to identify the method of post harvesting technology and challenges faced by the farmers with rhizome quality perspective. A survey has been conducted by developing a suitable questionnaire tool followed by validation. The data recorded through the survey among farmers have been analysed. The results showed that 1.5 % of the farmers were using improved techniques against 98.5 % of the farmers stay with conventional techniques. Further, the inclination towards practicing/implementing improved techniques by farmers in the agriculture sector is still in sluggish stage. Farmers are reluctant to adopt new methods or approaches for a variety of reasons, and appropriate solutions are given to solve these issues. This will help farmers better comprehend the advantages of producing high-quality agricultural goods and lay the foundation for future research.

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