Enhancing income through value-addition

Abstract

The value added products of underutilized fruits are rich source of fibre, vitamins, minerals, minerals, antioxidants and therapeutic values. Many of them have medicinal values par excellence. Efforts were made at the station for development of value added products like dried and dehydrated fruits, RTS, squash, candies, preserve, pickles, powders and condensed fruit juices through solar drying. Most of the products were stored for a year at ambient storage and chemical analysis of these products indicated that there was a decrease in vitamins and mineral composition throughout the storage period, however, they retain sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals to meet the daily requirement of healthy human body. Demand of underutilized fruit based products and profits could be increased through formation of small self help groups and their training at the station. However, still awareness on benefits of value addition and market promotion is required.