All living creatures, including humans, depend on nature for their food. Humans are not only hunters and gatherers, but also farmers. We live from hunting and fishing, agriculture and animal husbandry. Most of our food consists of agricultural products, which are usually seasonal and spoil quickly. To make food available throughout the year, humans have developed methods to prolong the storage life of products: to preserve them. The rotting process can be postponed by adding preservatives, optimizing storage conditions, or applying modern techniques. The last option will not be discussed in this Agrodok. This booklet focuses on the traditional preservation methods still commonly used in developing countries for fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables provide an abundant and inexpensive source of energy, body-building nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Their nutritional value is highest when they are fresh, but it is not always possible to consume them immediately.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ramesh Chand
Dr. Ramesh Chand (b. 1956) obtained his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, in 1984. He has been presented with Jawaharlal Nehru award for outstanding research contribution of his doctoral thesis. At present he is Principal Economist at National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. His current research interest includes agricultural policy, demand, supply and trade. He was earlier Professor of Marketing at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; Reader at Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi; Associate Professor at Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan; and Agriculture Economist at National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mumbai. He has been consultant to World Bank and FAO, ESCAP, ICRISAT; Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and G
overnment of Punjab. Dr. Ramesh Chand has served as member of high power committees, expert groups, working groups constituted by various government organizations. He has published articles in many national and international journals like American Jn. Of Agril. Economics, Economic and Political Weekly, Indian Jn. Of Ag. Economics, Experimental Agriculture. He is the author of several monographs and following books: (i) Agricultural Development, Price Policy and Marketed Surplus in India (ii) Agricultural Diversification and Development of Mountain Regions. (iii) Agricultural Diversification in India. He was the Chief Editor of the journal Agricultural Economics Research Review (1998-2000) and Visiting Professor to University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia (2000).
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