Ludhiana,
The Punjab Horticultural Postharvest Technology Centre, PAU, Ludhiana organized a training programme on postharvest handling, grading, packaging, storage and marketing of fruits and vegetables today, for Apni Mandi farmers of Malerkotla. About 20 farmers attended the training programme. Dr BVC Mahajan, Director of the Center explained the ‘Apni Mandi’ concept of the Punjab Mandi Board with a focus to improve the source of income of small farmers. He further said that the market committee facilitates the farmers to sell their fresh produce directly to the consumers, thus eliminating the role of middle man. Dr Swati Kapoor and Dr Ritu Tandon conducted the training programme and discussed in detail about the techniques for postharvest handling and value addition of vegetable and fruits. The role of food safety in marketing of processed products and safe use of pesticides on horticultural crops was also explained to the farmers. The training programme was organized in collaboration with Punjab Mandi Board, Chandigarh.