Potato Postharvesting part 1

Postharvest Handling of Potatoes

 

Introduction

White potato is a high value commercial crop. It is very nutritious and has many uses. Potato is used in the manufacture of snack foods, chips, French fries and as ingredient insalads, soups and some bakery products.

Many fast food chains in the country use potatoes as French fries. Demand for French fries increases with rise in number of fast food restaurants.

Meanwhile, the potato chips industry is also expanding . A daily demand of about 400 to 533 metric tons of fresh potato is needed in processing of potato chips.

The increasing demand for processed potatoes is currently not being met. First, supply is not continous. High postharvest handling losses also occur because of poor roads and lack of postharvest facilities. To prevent damages and reduction in quality of potato and avoid large fluctuation in supply and price, improved postharvest practices should be used. Good quality potatoes command a better price in the market.

 

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