5 Ways to Preserve Farm Produce are given in this article with the methods herein listed and explained one after the other.
Ways to Preserve Farm Produce
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Farm produce preservation is the act of keeping farm produce in its original state or in good condition before its consumption or sales.
5 Ways to Preserve Farm Produce:
1. Drying
Drying involves the exposure of farm products to sunlight or heat to reduce the moisture content of the farm produce. Artificial drying can be carried out by using electric ovens.
The aim of drying is to reduce the moisture content of the farm produce and inhibit the activities of micro-organisms.
Examples of livestock production that can be preserved by drying include meat, milk, fish, blood meal, hides and skins, eggs, bone meal, animal droppings, etc.
Examples of crop production that are preserved by drying are locust bean, cowpea, rice, maize, cassava flour, yam flour, plantain, groundnut, melon, pepper, ginger, etc.
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2. Refrigeration or freezing
Refrigeration involves the process of keeping farm produce in a lowered temperature close to but above zero degrees centigrade. This method is not an effective way of preserving farm produce for a long period of time.
However, freezing is the process of keeping farm produce at a temperature that is lower than zero degrees centigrade.
It is an efficient and effective method of preserving farm produce in a fresh form for a longer period of time.
The major aim of refrigeration or freezing is to render microorganisms inactive by keeping farm produce at a reduced temperature.
Examples of livestock production that can be refrigerated or frozen are meat, milk, eggs, fish, etc.
Examples of crop produce refrigerated or frozen are fruits such as apple, orange, mango, avocado, watermelon, and vegetables such as garden egg, okra, cabbage, pumpkin leaves, etc.
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3. Salting
It is the process of adding a substantial quantity of table salt to farm produce to prevent deterioration. The aim of salting is to extract water from the farm produce and create an acidic medium that is harmful to microorganisms.
Examples of livestock production that can be preserved by salting are crayfish, fish, and meat. Examples of crop produce preserved by salting are ground pepper, ground melon, locust beans, etc.
4. Canning
It is the process of enclosing farm produce in tin-plated cans or metal drums with or without preservatives to prolong their shelf lives. Canning is mostly carried out in the industries but some forms of canning of farm produce can be done at home.
The aim of canning is to prevent the supply of oxygen to farm produce and prevent oxidation by microorganisms.
This is done by adding vegetable oil, tomato paste, and ethanol to farm produce in sealed metal containers.
Examples of livestock products that are preserved by canning include evaporated milk, condensed milk, powdered milk, corn beef meat, etc.
Examples of canning are green beans, tomatoes, etc.
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5. Irradiation
This is a new method of food preservation. It is a process that uses radioactive rays under certain conditions to preserve farm produce.
The aim of irradiation is to sterilize farm produce by destroying microorganisms. Examples of livestock products that are often irradiated include fish, meat, milk, etc. Examples of crops produce irradiated are fruits, vegetables, etc.
In conclusion, farmers, wholesalers, and industrialists utilize different methods to prevent or retard the spoilage of farm produce before the consumption or marketing of this farm produces.
