What is grading?
Grading refers to sorting out the fruits according to shape, size, weight, maturity and quality.
Why grading is important?
- To maintain the uniformity and quality of the produces grading of Apple Ber is compulsory. The graded fruit fetches good market returns.
- It enhances the keeping quality of the fruits, as the infected/detoriated fruits allow invasion of the infection on good quality fruits.
- It also helps in grouping up the matured, ripe and over-ripe fruit.
How to do grading?
| It may be graded according to maturity, size, shape, and color. Grading can be carried out manually and mechanically. |  |
| Packing of Apple Ber is needed for fetching good value in the market. |  |
| The fruits should be packed properly in Corrugated Fiber Board (CFB) cartons for enhancing post harvest life of fruit for distant and local market. |  |
To manage the fruits after they have been harvested is yet another challenging aspect in today’s world. The price of the produce highly depends on the appearance of the fruits so, as to enhance it one has to be keen on its management. The Newspaper/Paper cuts are one of the medium with which we can enhance its life. It can help to protect the fruit from mechanical damage not only at the time of harvest but also during transits.
Packaging
Packaging is an essential part of the post – harvest practice as it protects the fruit and enhance the value of fruit for trade & consumers.
Materials required for packaging
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| Newspaper | Carton/ Corrugated fiber boxes | BOPP Tapes |
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| Plastic straps | Jute Threads | Paper cuts |
Why is it important for proper packaging of Apple Ber fruits?
- Good packaging not only makes the produces look impressive to trade/consumer and also safeguard the fruits from damages in multiple handling during transit/transportation.
- The quality of the fruits also sustains during transits.
How to do the packaging?
- Good packaging plays an important role in today’s agriculture.
- The right quality of CFBs (corrugated fiber boxes) with proper ventilation and handling convenience are required.
- These boxes should be capable of carrying defined load (10-15 Kgs). Proper cushioning (newspapers/paper cuts) to protect the fruits from mechanical impacts during transportations.
- The cartons should be of 5-7 ply strength for long distance transportation.
- Usually, 5-6 steps of loading and unloading takes place until it reaches the consumer (long distance markets).
- Cartons need to have proper label having information of grower, address & packaging details, (No. of fruits, Net. Wt., Gross Wt., Date of Packaging, Quality specification/ Grade respectively).
- Seal the cartons with branded (farm/fruit) BOPP (Biaxially Polypropylene Tapes) and also use strips for handling convenience.
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Storage-
Ber fruits can be stored 4-7 days under ambient/normal conditions without loss of quality depending upon the cultivars. However, the ideal temperature for cool storage is 10°C and 75 – 80 % relative humidity.
References:
- http://cazri.res.in/publications/KrishiKosh/112-(GROWING%20BER).pdf
- https://store.shoopy.in/nshop/products/ber-fruit-indian-per-pack-SKU-0080
