Acronyms and Abbreviations
2. Post-Production Operations
2.1 Pre-harvest operations
2.2 Harvesting
2.4 Threshing
2.5 Drying
2.6 Cleaning
2.7 Packaging
2.8 Storage
2.9 Processing
2.10 Marketing and policies
2. Post-Production Operations
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Groundnuts especially those produced
in the developing countries have been used traditionally since
the origin of humanity. It is rich in oil and protein and has
a high-energy value. Developing countries account for nearly 95
percent of world production. Asia accounts for about 70 percent
of this amount where the major producers India and China together
represent over two-thirds of global output. Other important producers
are Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan and Argentina. In most of the developing
countries kernels are used for oil extraction, food and as an
ingredient in confectionery products. Following extraction, the
residual cake is processed largely for animal feed, but is also
used for human consumption. The quality attributes that are important
for end uses of groundnut vary among the developed and developing
countries. Groundnuts are mainly processed for oil in several
developing countries. Even though it is a good protein source,
the cake obtained after oil extraction is not utilized to the
best advantage. Production of aflatoxin due to the invasion of
the fungus Aspergillus flavus to groundnut pod/kernel is
a serious problem in the trade of groundnuts in the international
market, which has seriously hampered the export business of the
developing countries. Therefore, these countries can no longer
rely on monoculture in order to support their growing economies.
Under current conditions, crop dependency has made producers
vulnerable to losses because of the lower prices paid for the
pods and kernels. It is, therefore, imperative for them to diversify
their production and create added value through processing thereby
reducing risks and opening new local and export markets. There
is a necessity to investigate new opportunities for the use of
groundnut as food and confectionery items. Most of the developing
countries have poor drying and storage facilities. Under these
conditions the seed loses its quality and viability in storage
rapidly. The purpose of this publication is to discuss the importance
of the post-production system in developing countries and to suggest
suitable curing, drying, storage and processing technologies.
Advised methods are especially meant for the smallholder farmers
and the most diversified uses of groundnut in confectionery items.
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