HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN POST-HARVEST TECHNOLOGY

Post-harvest technologies constitute an inter-disciplinary science and techniques applied to agricultural commodities after harvest for the purpose of preservation, conservation, quality control/enhancement, processing, packaging, storage, distribution, marketing, and utilization to meet the food and nutritional requirements of consumers in relation to their needs.

Quantitative and qualitative food losses of extremely variable magnitude occur at all stages in the post-harvest system from harvesting, through handling, storage, processing and marketing to final delivery to the consumer. Reduction in this wastage, particularly if it can economically be avoided, would be of great significance to growers and consumers alike. To reduce these losses producers and handlers must first understand the biological and environmental factors involved in deterioration. And second, use postharvest techniques that delay senescence and maintain the best possible quality. Post-harvest technology stimulates agricultural production, prevents post-harvest losses, improves nutrition and adds value to agricultural products thereby opening new marketing opportunities and generating new jobs while stimulating growth of other related economic sectors. The process developing post-harvest technologies requires an interdisciplinary and multidimensional research approach, which includes scientific creativity, technological innovation, and commercial entrepreneurship and stakeholder inputs.

The program will provide theoretical knowledge and practical training on the most important aspects of post-harvest technology for agricultural crops harvest and agricultural product process industries. Post-harvest biology, post-harvest pathology, post-harvest physiology and conventional and novel technologies in reduction of post-harvest losses in various agricultural crops and product process, food and value addition technologies are covered with the given curricula. The approach is both multi-disciplinary and industry oriented.

The National Diploma in Post-harvest Technology is a two year competency based training curriculum to achieve the comprehensive knowledge, skill and attitudes development to mitigate the good quality job market in agriculture and agricultural product process technologies leading to a Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) degree.