Punjab Horticultural Postharvest Technology Centre, P.A.U. Ludhiana organized Trainers Training Programme on postharvest management and marketing of fruits and vegetables for Apni Mandi farmers of Jalandhar district on 6-2-2018. About 20 farmers attended the training programme. The farmers were given hands on training on grading, packaging and storage of fruits and vegetables. Dr BVC Mahajan, Director of the Centre told that Apni Mandi is a very good concept started by Punjab Mandi Board with a view to give boost to small farmers around cities so as to provide direct access to the consumers by eliminating the middleman. This model helps not only in reducing the postharvest losses of perishable produce but consumers can enjoy the freshness of the quality produce and farmers can earn better profit as compared to wholesale market. He emphasized that farmers should follow grading and packaging of fruits and vegetables for better marketing. The participants were made aware of Food Safety Act, its guidelines and its ultimate importance for human health. Dr Mahesh Kumar, Dr Ritu Tandon and Dr Swati Kapoor of this Centre also gave tips for processing, value addition and maintenance of quality of horticultural crops during marketing. This Centre will conduct five similar training programmes each of one day duration for farmers of Apni Mandi from different districts of Punjab during February-March 2018 with financial assistance from Punjab Mandi Board.

Jalandhar (06-02-2018)

Hoshiarpur (12-02-2018)

Kharar and Fatehgarh Sahib (27-02-2018)

Malerkotla (06-03-2018)