Post Harvest Technologies

Coconut

Research in the field of pre harvest and post harvest technology was initiated in 1976. A few farm machineries/gadgets were developed for the use of the farming community and the processors. The technologies  developed  are listed as under. Approximately 48% of coconuts produced in the country is used for edible purpose, 31% for the production of milling copra, 8% for ball copra, 11% for tender nut and remaining 4% for non-edible purpose. A number copra dryers are developed at CPCRI to suit the requirement of farmers.

Dryers using agricultural wastes as fuel

Snow Ball Tender Nut (SBTN)

Snow ball tender nut is a tender coconut without husk, shell and testa which is ball shaped and white in colour. Coconut of 8 month old is more suitable for making SBTN in which there is no decrease in quantity of tender water and the kernel is sufficiently soft.
The process has been developed for making the SBTN. Important steps involved in the process are dehusking of the nut, making groove in the shell and scooping of the tender kernel in ball shape without breakage by using a scooping tool. The groove has to make by using a machine which is under the progress of development.

Sweet coconut chips

The process has been developed for making Sweet Coconut Chips from the mature and fresh coconut kernel by osmotic dehydration using sugar syrup as osmotic medium and drying of osmotic dehydrated coconut slices to get the crispy sweet coconut chips. Preparation of the spicy coconut chips and medicated coconut chips are under progress.