Postharvest handling and value added products of tomato to enhance the profitability of farmers

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.5794

Keywords:

postharvest handling, postharvest loss mitigation, profitability of farmers, tomato processing, value added products of tomato, value chain optimization

Abstract

Effective postharvest handling and value addition of tomatoes are crucial for enhancing farmers’ profitability. Tomatoes, as a highly perishable crop, often experience significant losses during postharvest stages due to insufficient storage and handling practices. Postharvest losses of horticultural crops, ranging from 20% to 40%, create a substantial gap in market potential. This study explores various postharvest handling techniques and value addition strategies to reduce losses and enhance economic outcomes for tomato growers. The review highlights key postharvest practices, including optimal storage conditions, efficient sorting and grading and advanced preservation methods, which collectively extend the shelf life of tomatoes and reduce spoilage. Additionally, the study underscores the potential of value added products, such as tomato sauces, powders and canned goods, to enhance the market value of tomatoes. Transforming raw tomatoes into high demand products enable farmers to access new revenue streams and decrease reliance on fresh market sales. The findings indicate that adopting improved postharvest handling methods and leveraging value addition opportunities can significantly boost farmers’ profitability. These practices not only reduce waste but also provide economic benefits through higher value products and improved market positioning. Overall, the study highlights the importance of innovative postharvest management and product development approaches for achieving sustainable economic growth in the tomato farming sector.

Downloads

References

Osman A, Saari N, Saleh R, Bakar J, Zainal ND, Yacob M. Post harvest handling practices on selected local fruits and

vegetables at different levels of the distribution chain. J Agribusi. 2009;2:38-51.

Lenucci MS, Cadinu D, Taurino M, Piro G, Dalessandro G. Antioxidant composition in cherry and high-pigment tomato cultivars. J Agric Food Chem. 2006;54(7):2606-13. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf052920c

Adhikari B, GC A. Post-harvest practices of horticultural crops in Nepal: Issues and management. Arch Agric Environ Sci. 2021;6(2):227-33. https://doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2021.0602015

Sudheer K, Indira V. Post harvest technology of horticultural crops: New India Publishing; Vol: 7; 2007.

Verma L, Joshi V. Postharvest technology of fruits and vegetables: Handling, processing, fermentation and waste

management. Indus Publishing Company. 2000;2:516-28.

Akangbe JA, Ogundiran TJ, Komolafe SE, Ifabiyi JO, Ajibola, BO. Tomato farmers adoption level of postharvest value addition technology and its constraints in Surulere Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. J Agric Soc Res. 2014;14(1):91-97.

Sarma P. Postharvest losses of tomato: A value chain context of Bangladesh. Int J Agric Edu Ext. 2018;4(1):85-92.

Singh C, Rani P, Kumar K. Progress and potential of horticulture crops in India: An mathematical analysis. J Math Prob, Equ Stat. 2023;4(2):22-26.

Geetha P, Indhu Rani C. Post harvest technology and value addition of tomatoes. Food Sci Res J. 2020;11(2):217-29. https://doi.org/10.15740/HAS/FSRJ/11.2/217-229

Brosnan T, Sun DW. Precooling techniques and applications for horticultural products-A review. Int J Refrig. 2001;24(2):154-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-7007(00)00017-7

Arah IK, Amaglo H, Kumah EK, Ofori H. Preharvest and postharvest factors affecting the quality and shelf life of

harvested tomatoes: A mini review. Int J Agron. 2015;2015(1):478-41. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/478041

Gupta S, Ghuman B, Sandhu K. Preparation of tomato powder on small scale. J Food Sci Technol, Mysore. 2006;43(1):31-33.

Mercier S, Villeneuve S, Mondor M, Uysal I. Time-temperature management along the food cold chain: A review of recent developments. Compreh Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2017;16(4):647-67. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12269

Venta MB, Broche SS, Torres IF, Pérez MG, Lorenzo EV, Rodriguez YR, Cepero SM. Ozone application for postharvest disinfection of tomatoes. Ozone: Sci Engin. 2010;32(5):361-71. https://doi.org/10.1080/01919512.2010.508100

Workneh TS, Osthoff G, Steyn M. Effects of preharvest treatment, disinfections, packaging and storage environment on quality of tomato. J Food Sci Technol. 2012;49:685-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0391-3

Pokhrel B. Review on post-harvest handling to reduce loss of fruits and vegetables. Int J Hortic Food Sci. 2021;2:48-52. https://doi.org/10.33545/26631067.2020.v2.i2a.52

Londhe DH, Nalawade SM, Pawar GS, Atkari VT, Wandkar SV. Grader: A review of different methods of grading for fruits and vegetables. Agric Engin Int: CIGR J. 2013;15(3):217-30.

Noor Badshah NB, Shad Muhammad SM, Mohammad Qaim MQ, Shaukat Ayaz SA. Shelf life study on tomato storage with different packing materials. Sarhad J Agric. 1997;13(4):347-50.

Idah P, Ajisegiri E, Yisa M. Fruits and vegetables handling and transportation in Nigeria. AU J Technol. 2007;10(3):175-83.

Irtwange S. Application of modified atmosphere packaging and related technology in postharvest handling of fresh fruits and vegetables. Agric Engin Int: CIGR J. 2006;4(8):1-13.

García-García I, Taboada-Rodríguez A, López-Gomez A, Marín-Iniesta F. Active packaging of cardboard to extend the shelf life of tomatoes. Food Bioproc Technol. 2013;6:754-61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-011-0759-4

Pathare PB, Al Dairi M, Al-Mahdouri AJJoA, Sciences M. Effect of storage conditions on postharvest quality of tomatoes: A case study at market-level. J Agric Marine Sci. 2021;26(1):13–20.

Nasrin TA, Molla MM, Hossaen MA, Alam MS, Yasmin L. Effect of postharvest treatments on shelf life and quality of tomato. Bangladesh J Agric Res. 2008;33(4):579-85. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v33i4.2291

Manal Yasser M, Marym Marzouk M, Taghrid Kamel A, Azza Naaffa MA. Effect of hot water treatment on postharvest fruit rots and quality of tomato fruits. Plant Arch. 2019;19(2):2325-34.

Soto-zamora GL, Yahia EM, Brecht JK, Gardea A. Effects of postharvest hot air treatment on the quality of “Rhapsody” tomato fruit. J Food Quality. 2005;28(5-6):492-504.

Cherono K, Workneh TS. A review of the role of transportation on the quality changes of fresh tomatoes and their

management in South Africa and other emerging markets. Int Food Res J. 2018;25(6):2211-28.

Mutari A, Debbie R. The effects of postharvest handling and storage temperature on the quality and shelf of tomato. Afr J Food Sci. 2011;5(7):446-52.

Esguerra EB, Rolle R, Rahman M. Post-harvest management of mango for quality and safety assurance. Guidance for Horticultural Supply Chain Stakeholders; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Rome, Italy. 2018.

Mondal K, Paul A, Kumar R, Kerketta NS, Singh NK, Sinha B, et al. Post-harvest management, value addition and marketing of tomato. Emerg Res Paradigm Sustain Dev. 2022;43:978-981.

Oke M, Hussein J, Oriola K, Bolarinwa I. Post-harvest processing and preservative technology of tomato-A review. Int J Org Agric Res Dev. 2017;14:42-71. https://doi.org/10.9734/AFSJ/2019/44518

Jorge A, Sauer Leal E, Sequinel R, Sequinel T, Kubaski ET, Tebcherani SM. Changes in the composition of tomato powder (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) resulting from different drying methods. J Food Process Preserv. 2018;42(5):e13595. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.13595

Saran S, Jayanth TA, Anand S, Pandey V, Sumathi N. Tomato processing industry management. Int J Latest Technol Eng Manag Appl Sci. 2017;6(12):124-28.

Tripathi S, Patel R, Somvanshi S, Singh H, Dubey B. Impact of value added tomato based product for income generation of farm women. Plant Arch. 2017;17(2):1329-31. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322020181

Sandei L, Taddei C, Leoni C, Cremona F. Evaluation, over time, of freezing effects on lycopene content and colour of frozen tomato products. Industria Conserve (Italy). 2004;79(4);379-95. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319136814

Arun M, Prasannakumar P, Kumar PR. Performance of tomato marketing in Kolar mandi of Karnataka. Mysore J Agric Sci. 2019;53(4):76-88.

Published

18-04-2025 — Updated on 28-04-2025

Versions

How to Cite

1.
Beaulah A, Rajadurai KR, Anitha T, Rajangam J, Maanchi S. Postharvest handling and value added products of tomato to enhance the profitability of farmers. Plant Sci. Today [Internet]. 2025 Apr. 28 [cited 2025 Apr. 28];12(2). Available from: https://horizonepublishing.com/journals/index.php/PST/article/view/5794

Issue

Section

Review Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>