Advances in Postharvest and Analytical Technology of Horticulture Crops: A Review

Globally, small-scale farmers control the majority of agricultural systems. However, these growers have limited access to preharvest and postharvest technologies because of their high upfront costs. Without these technologies, postharvest management of fruits and vegetables would lose between 25% and 50% of their potential. A simple postharvest infrastructure for product preservation would have prevented product rotting due to improper handling, shipping, packing, and storage, which is what caused these large losses. High postharvest losses of products pose a challenge to global food security, nutrition, and availability because the producer maintains less of his entire quality produce. As a result, there is less of these food commodities available net for consumption. As a result, this chapter provides a comprehensive overview of current concepts and techniques for postharvest management in horticultural crops worldwide. Because of postharvest research and technology, the horticultural sector can provide consumers with fresh, safe, and nutrient-dense goods that follow the supply chain from farm to mouth. Enhancing postharvest research, innovation, instruction, and training might significantly lower food waste and losses. To combat delays at various handling levels and reduce postharvest losses that occur during harvesting, packaging, and shipping in wholesale and retail markets, a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and tactics are currently being used. Further research should focus on combining various new technologies with postharvest techniques and integrating relevant enhanced practices into an existing value chain and marketing framework.