Value Addition & Processing of Fruit & Vegetable Products

The book is a comprehensive resource that delves into the science, techniques, and industry practices related to the processing and preservation of horticultural produce. Designed for students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals in food technology and agribusiness, this book covers the entire value chainfrom production to post-harvest handling, processing, marketing, and export.

The book begins with an introduction to the production scenario of fruits and vegetables in India and globally, setting the stage for understanding the immense potential of this sector. It explores core principles and methods of preservation including thermal processing, drying, extraction, and packaging technologies, all essential for extending shelf life and ensuring food safety. With the growing relevance of primary processing and pack house operations, detailed chapters guide readers through supply chain logistics, equipment selection, and hygiene protocols.

Special attention is given to value-addition techniques that transform raw produce into ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook products, offering insights into quality enhancement, branding, and product innovation. The book also discusses government schemes and regulatory frameworks such as those from FSSAI, and presents a critical analysis of the trade potential and challenges in the processed food industry.

Packed with case studies, practical examples, and updated data, this book serves as a vital guide for advancing India food processing sector. It aligns with academic curricula as well as the needs of policymakers, agripreneurs, and agro-industrial stakeholders aiming to reduce food loss, increase income, and boost exports through efficient processing and value addition.

Samit Dutta is currently serving as Principal and Dean, the College of Food Processing Technology and Bio Energy. He has been serving Anand Agricultural University for almost a decade in the Food Business Management Department of College of Food Processing Technology and Bio Energy. Before this he worked with the National Dairy Development Board for 13 years and led a team of young scientists in the Product & Process Development group. He is a Dairy Technology graduate and has done Ph.D. in Management. He also has vast experience in teaching, research, extension as well as with various Industries like Dynamix Dairy. Dr Dutta is also working as Co-Project In-charge, NAHEP- CAAST, RAFTAAR Agri-Business Incubator (R- ABI), of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW), Govt. of India and as the Manager for Startup Support Scheme of Govt. of Gujarat at Anand Agricultural University for incubating food and agri start-ups and entrepreneurs.

R.S. Pundir, MSc and Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, is currently Principal & Dean and Professor at International Agri-Business Management Institute (IABMI), Anand Agricultural University (AAU), Anand, Gujarat. Prior to joining AAU he has been associated with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) and Agribusiness industry. He has 28 years’ experience in research and teaching including two years in agri-industry. Dr. Pundir is engaged in teaching of International trade and WTO, agricultural marketing, agribusiness policy, agribusiness cooperatives, and production economics at PG level. Dr Pundir has guided 40 Masters and Ph.D students in Agricultural economics, Agricultural marketing and Agribusiness and currently seven masters and Ph.D. students are under his guidance. His current research interest includes, agribusiness policy, WTO, agricultural marketing, marketing intelligence, agribusiness institutions, sustainable development, livestock & dairy and production economics. He has to his credit 50 research papers published in reputed journals apart from four books and one monograph. Dr Pundir is also Principal Investigator of a prestigious project on “Agricultural Market Intelligence under NAHEP-CAAST, At AAU, Anand.

Vishita Khanna is working as an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of HRD and Personnel Management at the International Agribusiness Management Institute, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat since 2017 where she is involved in teaching various subjects like Quality Management, Food Processing Technology, Human Resource Management, Business Laws, Quality Management, Strategic Management and Organizational Behaviour.

She has an overall experience of 13 years 6 years in the Food Processing Industry and 7 years in Academics. She has served as Lead Internal Auditor and Food Safety Team Leader for 5 years in the Food Industry. Her work included traceability exercises, documentation for the audits, performing internal audits and its compliance for the customers in India and Abroad. She has published 13 Research Papers and 7 book chapters in reputed books and Journals. On the education front, She is an MBA in international Agribusiness Management along with a B.Tech in Food Processing Technology and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. (ABM) as an In service candidate from Anand Agricultural University.

Mahendra D. Gurjar is working as an Assistant Professor, Dairy Business Management at SMC college of Dairy science, Kamdhenu University since 2008. He has completed his Ph.D in Management from Sardar Patel University in 2020. He has worked in 14 projects of national and international level as PI and Co- PI dueing his work experience of last 15 years. He has published papers in 40 International Journals and 9 national journals. To his merits he has published 8 technical articles, 8 book chapters, edited 5 books and attended over 30 conferences and webinars during this tenure. His field of expertise is financial management, cost accounting and risk management.

Ashish K. Makwana is working as Associate professor and Head of Dairy Business Management Department of SMc college of Dairy Science, Kamdhenu University. He has over 25 years of experience in field of dairy business. In his tenure he has handled various research projects as project director such as Challenges, Opportunities and Expectations of Stakeholders of Dairy Industry of Gujarat and its Implication for Strategy and Policy Formulation: An In-depth case study sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi. And Comparative Analysis of Dairy Business Models Existing in Gujarat: Study of selected districts and Exploring Possibility of Implementing New Models, sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi. He has also handled various projects as Co-PI such as Economics of Dairy Enterprises in Middle Gujarat Agro-Climatic Zone sponsored by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. He has over 50 research paper publications and 30 book chapter to his credit. He also books an extra ordinary accomplishment of reviving the old rapar chilling centre.