Sustainable Strategies for Post-Harvest Management and Utilization of Horticultural Surplus in India

Post-harvest management and sustainable utilization of surplus horticultural produce are vital for addressing food security, reducing agricultural waste, and promoting environmental sustainability. Fruits and vegetables, being highly perishable face significant post-harvest losses impacting economic stability and environmental health. With a growing global population and strained natural resources, innovative strategies are essential to extend shelf life, minimize waste, and create economic value. This review focuses on two objectives: first, assessing current post- harvest management practices including advanced storage technologies, packaging innovations and treatments to maintain quality and reduce losses. Techniques such as cold storage, modified atmosphere packaging, and chemical/biological treatments are examined. Second, it explores sustainable approaches to transform surplus produce into value-added products like processed foods, bio-based materials and industrial goods. Emerging technologies, including edible coatings, nanotechnology and precision agriculture, offer promising solutions to minimize losses. The review highlights critical research and practice gaps, emphasizing the need for integrated approaches that consider environmental, economic, and social dimensions. However, scaling these technologies faces persistent challenges, including economic barriers, infrastructure gaps, and technical limitations in resource-constrained regions. Furthermore, achieving optimal trade- offs between treatment efficacy, safety compliance, and consumer acceptability of novel solutions remains scientifically and commercially challenging. Effective post-harvest management and surplus utilization enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste and contribute to a sustainable agricultural system. Investments in research, infrastructure, and policy frameworks are crucial to improving post-harvest systems and fostering a circular economy in horticulture, driving innovation, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability for economic and environmental benefits.