Value Addition of discarded Strawberry Fruits: A Potential to Generate Income for the farmers

Abstract

India is endowed with varied agro-climatic conditions which offer immense scope for the cultivation of various kinds of horticultural crops. As India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetable. Both fruits and vegetable is out of total production 60% of produce is wasted.  Waste utilization concept in horticulture crops is one step forward in harnessing the profit by farmers. Thus minimization of post harvest losses and value addition of perishable horticultural crops could be major contributor to the goal achieving doubling the farmer’s income. Strawberry is herbaceous perennial and short day.  Strawberry is known for its pleasant aroma. It is amongst the few crops, which gives quick and very high returns per unit area on the capital investment, as the crop is ready for harvesting within six months of planting. It is highly nutritious having a rich source of vitamins A,B,C and niacin, minerals like phosphorus, potassium, calcium and iron (Karkara and Dwivedi, 2002). Medicinally, Strawberry has been known to kill certain viruses like polio, herpes and these may block the formation of nitrosamine, which causes cancer.

Observation on TSS and Organoleptic quality revealed a gradual decrease in subsequent month during six month of storage in ambient condition. As nutrition point of view and it is seasonal fruit and rich in nutrition it can be used in off season as well as it can generate employment to rural farm women and also help the farmer to double their income.

Key Words:- Strawberry, T.S.S, Organoleptic, Squash, Storage, Quality