Explain by giving two examples, how biotechnology has helped the Indian farmers in processing their…

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Explain by giving two examples, how biotechnology has helped the Indian farmers in processing their perishable crops. (Answer in 150 words)

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Biotechnology helps Indian farmers process perishable crops by converting them into stable, higher-value products through microbial fermentation and enzyme technology. Nashik's grape wineries and pectinase-based mango pulp units in Chittoor show how microbes and enzymes cut post-harvest loss and steady incomes.

**Introduction**

Fruits and vegetables lose much of their value between harvest and market. Biotechnology lets farmers convert them into stable, higher-value products using microbes and enzymes.

**Example One: Microbial Fermentation**

SKETCH: flow | Biotech Turns Glut Into Value
- Perishable harvest
- Microbe or enzyme
- Stable product
- Higher farm income

1. **Grape surplus to wine**: Nashik's wineries ferment surplus and table-grade grapes with selected yeast strains, giving growers an assured buyer when fresh prices crash.
2. **Cashew apple to feni**: In Goa, the highly perishable cashew apple is fermented and distilled into GI-tagged feni instead of being discarded.

**Example Two: Enzyme-Based Processing**

1. **Higher pulp yield**: Pectinase from the fungus Aspergillus niger breaks down pectin, raising pulp recovery in the mango units of Chittoor and Krishnagiri.
2. **Longer shelf life**: Enzyme-clarified pulp is aseptically packed and keeps for months, so farmers sell beyond the short mango season.

**Conclusion**

By turning gluts into storable products, biotechnology cuts post-harvest loss and steadies farm incomes, in line with SDG 12.3.

Explain by giving two examples, how biotechnology has helped the Indian farmers in processing their perishable crops. (Answer in 150 words)

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