Classification of Agricultural Products with reference to their Seasonality & Perishability

Agriculture

The art and science of crop and livestock production. Agriculture is the set of activities that transform the environment for the production of animals and plants for human use.In its broadest sense, agriculture comprises the entire range of technologies associated with the production of useful products from plants and animals, including soil cultivation, crop and livestock management, and the activities of processing and marketing.

Agriculture in India

About 75% people are living in rural areas and are still dependent on Agriculture. About 43% of India’s geographical area is used for agricultural activity

Accounts for 27% of GDPContributes 21% of Total Exports, and

Supplies Raw materials to IndustriesGrowth Rate in production - 5.7% Food grains production – 211.17 mt

Agriculture in Haryana

Geographical Area - 44.21 lakh ha. Cultivated Area - 38.09 lakh ha. Net Area Sown - 35.56 lakh ha. Gross Cropped Area - 63.94 lakh ha Cropping intensity - 182 % (National average 135%) Irrigated Area - 84% Area under brackish water -54% No. of Farm Holdings - 15.28 lakh

a) Marginal farmers - 7.04 lakh (46.1%)b) Small farmers - 2.94 lakh (19.3%)c) others - 5.30 lakh (34.7%)

Categories of Agricultural Products Cereals and Pulses Seeds Spices Fruits Vegetables Dry Fruits & Nuts Edible Oils Essential Oil Flowers Fertilizers Beverages & Juices Fodder Dairy Products

Aromatic Plants Herbal Products Agricultural Machinery &

Equipments Coconut and Coir Product Meat & Poultry Foods Processed Food & Snacks Pickles & Condiments Marine Food Supplies Other Agro Products

Classification of Agricultural Products

Perishability

Agricultural products can be classified into two categories:

o Perishable productso Non-perishable products.

Seasonality

Agricultural products can be classified into two categories on the basis or seasons:

o Rabio Kharifo Zaid

According to ParishabilityPerishable Goods: Generally all the vegetables falling the

category of perishable agricultural products as they survive only for a few days.

VegetablesFruits

Cold Storage Availability of proper cold storages are important for preserving perishable commodities like

milk, meat, eggs, vegetables, fruits, ornamental flowers and other floricultural goods. These cold storages give perishable food items a longer shelf life by preventing them from rotting due to humidity, high temperature and micro-organisms. This results in a decrease in loss due to spoilage.

Different products are stored at different temperatures. Flowers will remain fresh even in a moderately cool chiller whereas a product like meat needs to be deep frozen to prevent it from turning rancid. The government trains managers and operators of cold storages to store products at the optimum temperature, maintain machinery, hygiene and administration.

The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection of the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation provides consultancy and technical services to prospective entrepreneurs for the construction, maintenance and operation of cold storages. Other activities that the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection is involved in are preparation of a master plan for cold storage requirements at micro/macro levels, conducting seminars, problem oriented studies and coordinating research in cold storage

Non-Perishable Goods: the goods which can survive for years are classified in the category of non-perishable agricultural products.

Cereals and PulsesSpicesSweetenersFats and Oils

According to Parishability

Storage of Non Perishable Goods

Material of the container used to store these items:

- Stainless steel - Aluminum - Glass - Branded plastic

According to SeasonalityRABI: Sowing is done from October to December and harvesting

season is from March to May.

The crops that are sown in the winter season are called Rabi crops. (also known as the "winter crop") in India. The Rabi means, when the crop is harvested. Crops that are grown in the winter season, from November to April are called Rabi Crops. Some of the important rabi crops are wheat, barley, peas, gram and mustard. States of north and north eastern part of India such as Punjab and kashmir and in Pakistan sindh are important for the production of wheat and other rabi crops. Availability of precipitation during winter months due to the western temperate cyclones helps in the success of these crops.

RABI CROPS:MaizeCuminCorienderWheatFenugreekGramOnionMustardTomatoPotatoOat

According to SeasonalityKHARIF: Sowing for the crops is done from April to July and

harvesting is done from .September to December.

The crops that are sown in the rainy season are called kharif crops. (also known as the summer or monsoon crop) in India. Kharif crops are usually sown with the beginning of the first rains in July, during the south-west monsoon season. The main monsoon season in India runs from June to September and the southwest summer monsoon occur due to a low pressure area that's caused by the extreme heat of the Thar Desert and adjoining areas, during summer.

KHARIF CROPS:PaddyGuar (F)cottonchillyJowarUridmaizearharBajriGround Nut

According to SeasonalityZAID: Sowing for the crops is done in March and harvesting is done in

June

In Indian sub-continent, the crops grown on irrigated lands which do not have to wait for monsoons, in the short duration between Rabi and Kharif crop season, mainly from March to June, are called Zaid crops (also written as Zayad crops). These crops are grown mainly in the summer season during a period called the ' Zayad crop season ' .They require warm day weather for major growth period and longer day length for flowering. Its main products are seasonal fruits and vegetables

ZAID CROPS:Musk MelonWater MelonGourdsCucumber

CROP SEASONSCROPPING SEASON

PERIOD CROPS CULTIVATED (Northern States)

CROPS CULTIVATED (Southern States)

SOWING HARVESTING

KHARIF APR - MAY BEGINNING OF NOV

RICE, COTTON, BAJRA, MAIZE

JOWAR, TUR

RICE, MAIZE, RAGI, JOWAR, GROUNDNUT

RABI END OF OCT OR

BEGINNING OF NOV

MARCH WHEAT, GRAM,

RAPESEEDS, MUSTARD,

BARLEY

RICE, MAIZE, RAGI,

GROUNDNUT, JOWAR

ZAID APRIL JUNE VEGETABLES, FRUITS, FODDER

RICE, VEGETABLES,

FODDER