Banana farming is the basis for commercial fruit trading. Every banana plant generates waste biomass nearly ten times the quantity of its fruits. Disposal of waste biomass is a burden for the farmers. Economical use of the waste biomass can bring financial benefit to banana farmers. Use of organic potash in lieu of inorganic potash affords higher yield and also helps to preserve the ecosphere of soil for subsequent crops. Agricultural Benefits of Postharvest Banana Plants details the use of postharvest banana plants for agriculture and trade. Eleven chapters explain both traditional and modern uses of banana plants. The reader is informed how bio-waste from postharvest banana plants (including their stems) can be used as organic potash to replace inorganic potash (muriate of potash) in fertilizer. Experimental uses of banana plant pseudo-stem juice for growing different crops along with chemical analysis of the pseudo-stems are explained in separate chapters. Isolations of potassium chloride and potassium carbonate have also been discussed in the latter part of the book. This book is an ideal handbook for professionals and trainees interested in utilizing postharvest banana plants for sustainable agriculture and trade. The information is also useful for students and teachers involved in agricultural biotechnology and traditional agriculture courses.

A comprehensive guide that covers the banana’s full value chain – from production to consumption The banana is the world’s fourth major fruit crop. Offering a unique and in-depth overview of the fruit’s entire value chain, this important new handbook charts its progression from production through to harvest, postharvest, processing, and consumption. The most up-to-date data and best practices are drawn together to present guidelines on innovative storage, processing, and packaging technologies, while fresh approaches to quality management and the value-added utilization of banana byproducts are also explained. Additionally, the book examines the banana’s physiology, nutritional significance, and potential diseases and pests. The book also Edited by noted experts in the field of food science, this essential text: Provides a new examination of the world’s fourth major fruit crop Covers the fruit’s entire value chain Offers dedicated chapters on bioactive and phytochemical compounds found in bananas and the potential of processing byproducts Gives insight into bananas’ antioxidant content and other nutritional properties Identifies and explains present and possible effects of bioactive and phytochemical compounds Handbook of Banana Production, Postharvest Science, Processing Technology, and Nutrition offers the most far-reaching overview of the banana currently available. It will be of great benefit to food industry professionals specializing in fruit processing, packaging, and manufacturing banana-based products. The book is also an excellent resource for those studying or researching food technology, food science, food engineering, food packaging, applied nutrition, biotechnology, and more.

This open access book provides a clear holistic conceptual framework of CISS-F (competitiveness, inclusiveness, sustainability, scalability and access to finance) to analyse the efficiency of value chains of high value agricultural commodities in India. It is based on the understanding that agriculture is an integrated system that connects farming with logistics, processing and marketing. Farmer’s welfare being central to any agricultural policy makes it very pertinent to study how a value chain works and can be strengthened further to realize this policy goal. This book adds value to the existing research by studying the value chains end-to-end across a wide spectrum of agricultural commodities with the holistic lens of CISS-F. It is not enough that a value chain is competitive but not inclusive or it is competitive and inclusive but not sustainable. The issue of scalability is very critical to achieve macro gains in terms of greater farmer outreach and sectoral growth. The research undertaken here brings out some very useful insights for policymaking in terms of what needs to be done better to steer the agricultural value chains towards being more competitive, inclusive, sustainable and scalable. The value chain specific research findings help draw very nuanced policy recommendations as well as present a big picture of the future direction of policy making in agriculture.

Banana Nutrition - Function and Processing Kinetics covers the nutritional aspects of the banana plant and fruit. The book contains substantial scientific information written in an easy-to-understand format. The chapters include information on pharmacological aspects of banana; banana bioactives: absorption, utilization, and health benefits; banana pseudo-stem fiber: preparation, characteristics, and applications; banana drying kinetics and technologies; and integrating text mining and network analysis for topic detection from published articles on banana sensory characteristics. All the chapters contain recent advances in science and technology regarding the banana that will appeal to farmers, plant breeders, food industry, investors, and consumers as well as students and researchers. Readers will harness valuable information about the banana in controlling food security and non-communicable nutrition-related human illnesses.

Consideration of the interactions between decisions made at one point in the supply chain and its effects on the subsequent stages is the core concept of a systems approach. Postharvest Handling is unique in its application of this systems approach to the handling of fruits and vegetables, exploring multiple aspects of this important process through chapters written by experts from a variety of backgrounds.Newly updated and revised, this second edition includes coverage of the logistics of fresh produce from multiple perspectives, postharvest handing under varying weather conditions, quality control, changes in consumer eating habits and other factors key to successful postharvest handling.The ideal book for understanding the economic as well as physical impacts of postharvest handling decisions.Key Features:*Features contributions from leading experts providing a variety of perspectives*Updated with 12 new chapters*Focuses on application-based information for practical implementation*System approach is unique in the handling of fruits and vegetables

A comprehensive guide that covers the banana's full value chain — from production to consumption The banana is the world's fourth major fruit crop. Offering a unique and in-depth overview of the fruit's entire value chain, this important new handbook charts its progression from production through to harvest, postharvest, processing, and consumption. The most up-to-date data and best practices are drawn together to present guidelines on innovative storage, processing, and packaging technologies, while fresh approaches to quality management and the value-added utilization of banana byproducts are also explained. Additionally, the book examines the banana's physiology, nutritional significance, and potential diseases and pests. The book also Edited by noted experts in the field of food science, this essential text: Provides a new examination of the world's fourth major fruit crop Covers the fruit's entire value chain Offers dedicated chapters on bioactive and phytochemical compounds found in bananas and the potential of processing byproducts Gives insight into bananas' antioxidant content and other nutritional properties Identifies and explains present and possible effects of bioactive and phytochemical compounds Handbook of Banana Production, Postharvest Science, Processing Technology, and Nutrition offers the most far-reaching overview of the banana currently available. It will be of great benefit to food industry professionals specializing in fruit processing, packaging, and manufacturing banana-based products. The book is also an excellent resource for those studying or researching food technology, food science, food engineering, food packaging, applied nutrition, biotechnology, and more.

The increase in global population compels growers to use excessive fertilizers to enhance agricultural production. Excessive fertilizer use may also negatively affect the nutritional quality and preservation of horticultural products, reducing the shelf life and overall quality of fruits and vegetables. Postharvest Physiology and Handling of Horticultural Crops contains fundamental information that helps readers understand postharvest physiology of fresh fruits and vegetables, and presents an in-depth analysis of the harmful impacts of agrochemicals. The book presents readers with eco-friendly, innovative techniques used to handle the fruits and vegetables during storage and through supply chains helping to better preserve them. Features · Describes available technologies to eliminate and minimize microbial infection for maintaining postharvest quality and safety of fresh produce. · Explores and discusses approaches, technologies, and management practices necessary to maintain products’ storage quality by ensuring food safety and nutrition retention. · Provides practical applications of latest developments in disinfection applications, smart packaging, nano-enabled applications, advances in fresh-cut products, light illumination and edible coatings. · Presents an in-depth discussion of the harmful impacts of agrochemicals and aims to introduce new, eco-friendly and innovative technologies to the readers. With chapters written by experts in the field of postharvest fruit and vegetable preservation, this book provides information on the use of biomaterials in food preservation and provides practical information for students, teachers, professors, scientists, farmers, food packers and sellers; as well as entrepreneurs engaged in the fresh food preservation industry.