what is processing in agriculture

Processing in agriculture involves the biological, physical, mechanical, and biochemical manipulation of agricultural produce in other to preserve it for further use. It involves the series of operations taken to change agricultural products into a consumer-finish product.

Full
Answer

What is agricultural processing?

Agricultural processing means transforming, packaging, sorting, or grading livestock or livestock products, agricultural commodities, or plants or plant products into goods that are used for intermediate or final consumption including goods for nonfood use.

What is minimal processing in agriculture?

Processing of Agricultural Products: It is the process applied on an agricultural product and the process used for creating an agricultural product. This procedure does not include farm work that is necessary to prepare a product of plant or even animal origin so it can be sold. Processing

What is agro food processing?

Information Processing in Agriculture (IPA) was established in 2013 to encourage the development of science and technology related to information processing in agriculture, through the following aims: • Promote the use of knowledge and methods from information processing technologies in agriculture;

Why is AG important to your community?

The use of technologies to preserve and add value to specific local agricultural commodities that have a production surplus” e.g jams, jellies, peanut butter, tomato salsas, pepper sauces and beans. The processing of raw traditional commodities such as cassava and banana into flour for the production of baked products (breads, pastries).

What is the meaning of processing in agriculture?

Agricultural processing means transforming, packaging, sorting, or grading livestock or livestock products, agricultural commodities, or plants or plant products into goods that are used for intermediate or final consumption including goods for nonfood use.

What are the processing of agricultural produce?

Primary food processing turns agricultural products, such as raw wheat kernels or livestock, into something that can eventually be eaten. This category includes ingredients that are produced by ancient processes such as drying, threshing, winnowing and milling grain, shelling nuts, and butchering animals for meat.

What is an example of processing in agriculture?

Cooking, canning, smoking and drying are among the various methods used in the processing industry. Many farm products must be processed before they can be used by the general public or by farmers. For example, most fruits and vegetables are cleaned, graded and stored or processed before they enter the retail market.

What is agricultural food processing?

Food processing generally includes the basic preparation of foods, the alteration of a food product into another form (as in making preserves from fruit), and preservation and packaging techniques.

What is the importance of processing to agricultural products?

Processing makes food more edible, palatable and safe, and preserves it so it can be eaten beyond the harvest season. Food processing is also a tool that offers greater variety in foods and therefore increases the consumer’s choice.

Why is food processing?

Almost all food is processed in some way before it is eaten. Commercially, the main reasons to process food are to eliminate micro-organisms (which may cause disease) and to extend shelf life. Simply cooking or combining a food with other foodstuffs to create a recipe is also considered a form of food processing.

What is process of food processing?

Food processing is any method used to turn fresh foods into food products. This can involve one or a combination of various processes including washing, chopping, pasteurising, freezing, fermenting, packaging, cooking and many more.

What is primary processing?

Primary processing is the conversion of raw materials into food commodities – for example, milling wheat into flour. Secondary processing is when the primary product is changed to another product – for example, turning wheat flour into bread.

What is processing of fruits and vegetables?

Processing (canning, drying, freezing, and prepa- ration of juices, jams, and jellies) increases the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Processing steps include preparation of the raw material (clean- ing, trimming, and peeling followed by cooking, canning, or freezing.

What does “processing” mean?

To be highly modern and technologically advanced. To be capable of producing new products. To process raw material by using ecological methods at all costs. So the question arises if it is advantageous for someone to invest in processing.

What is the main feature of processing?

Main feature of processing is the use of agricultural products of the primary sector as raw material which results in food shape for consumers after the end of processing. Crafts, packaging industries and product processing industries, e.g. production units such as: agricultural, farming, piscatorial and fish cultivation units are included in …

Why is processing products important?

By processing products, we can obtain more sustainable goods and even smaller in volume which gives the ability to export them abroad successfully, even at a better price.

Why is processing an investment?

Processing, and especially in agricultural products, is an advantageous investment for the following reasons: It uses a range of products of one or more areas as raw material thus manufacturing products of greater value than the original unprocessed raw material.

Why is it important for farmers, livestock breeders and processing industry to work together?

It is necessary for them to work together to cover the needs of all consumers for Organic – Traditional – Local and Fresh products thus satisfying consumers’ gastronomy.

What is AKP in agriculture?

Kiosk – AKP. Processing of Agricultural Products. It is the process applied on an agricultural product and the process used for creating an agricultural product. This procedure does not include farm work that is necessary to prepare a product of plant or even animal origin so it can be sold. Processing. Processing of agricultural products is one of …

Why is it necessary to do market research before a product is made?

Please also note that it is absolutely necessary to perform a market research before the production in order to identify consumer preferences on prices, quality, content and packaging before the product hits the shelves and is available to consumers. For this reason, certification units are necessary.

What is agro processing unit?

The Agro-processing Unit started as a Pilot Project in 1999 with the collaboration of the Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan Technical Mission in Belize. The main objective was to enhance food processing technology and the application of food science concepts in Belize. By 2002, the ROC, Taiwan Technical Mission had already introduced equipment …

Is agro processing a stronger application of basic agro-processing concepts?

As a result of this, an extension to the agro- processing building was constructed. In the last seven years, the agro-processing program has successfully achieved a stronger application of basic agro-processing concepts and introduced some of the newest technology for e.g, vacuum fried technology and air-dried technology in Belize.

What is agricultural processing?

Processing in agriculture involves the biological, physical, mechanical, and biochemical manipulation of agricultural produce in other to preserve it for further use. It involves the series of operations taken to change agricultural products into a consumer-finish product. E.g is garri. Agricultural processing involves both scientific and traditional manipulation of agricultural produce so as to make it to be more useful and be able to store them for future uses.

What is product in agriculture?

In Agriculture, product refers to processed agricultural produce which has been turn into finish goods either for human/animal consumption or for industrial uses.

What is agricultural storage?

Agricultural storage: Is any deposit or holding of farm product, fertilizer, grains, feed and other related supplies in facilities or container, often to prevent contamination or for times when production cannot meet demand. It is an important marketing function which involves holding and processing goods from the time they are produced until they are needed for consumption.

What is the act of safekeeping of the quantity and quality of an agricultural material so as to prevent them from deteriorat

Storage : Is the act of safekeeping of the quantity and quality of an agricultural material so as to prevent them from deterioration for a specific period of time beyond their normal shelf life.

What is a hammer mill?

The blocks contains harmers. As the hammer rotates, the block will rotates as well, then the product will be mill by pressure of the hammer. It is used to mill crops whose moisture content is reduced e.g rice.

What was carried out in the Oral Interview on agricultural machine usage?

Oral interview on agricultural machine usage was carried out. Field trip to different areas where agricultural produce is been processed was undertaken . Practical assessment of educational background of the agric product processing workers, working environment including challenges of the agric processing unit were examined. And consultation of relevant research findings literature was the methods used in collection and collation of data for this investigation.

Why is mechanization important in agriculture?

Energy use in Agriculture and food processing is high; hence, mechanization is essential to reduce the level of drudgery especially in the local processing factories and mills. Rice and oil palm processing will be discussed in details during the course of survey. Aims / objectives of the Survey .

What is processed food?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ), processed food is defined as any raw agricultural commodity that has been subject to washing, cleaning, milling, cutting, chopping, heating, pasteurizing, blanching, cooking, canning, freezing, drying, dehydrating, mixing, packaging, or other procedures that alter the food from its natural state. This may include the addition of other ingredients to the food, such as preservatives, flavors, nutrients and other food additives or substances approved for use in food products, such as salt, sugars and fats.

Why are processed foods important?

The main goal of processed foods is to make it more convenient for the consumer. There are practical reasons for why certain foods are processed the way they are. The minimally processed foods such as sliced fruits and vegetables make it more convenient for the consumer to eat fruits and vegetables without needing to wash, dry and cut the produce themselves. Canned and frozen foods help to preserve perishable foods at their peak to be consumed at a later date. Adding oils, sweeteners and preservatives help to add texture and flavor to foods. The most heavily processed foods, such as pre-made and frozen dinners require little to no prep and are ready to eat after heating.

Why do we need canned foods?

Using canned foods that could otherwise take a long time to prep, such as beans and tuna, helps people in a time crunch to consume these nutritious foods. Keep the “spectrum” in mind when choosing processed foods, so you choose minimally processed foods more often than heavily processed foods.

What are some examples of minimally processed foods?

Foods such as sliced fruits and vegetables, bagged salads and leafy greens and roasted nuts are all examples of minimally processed foods.

Is minimally processed food healthy?

Minimally processed food retains most of its inherent physical, chemical, sensory and nutritional properties and many minimally processed foods are as nutritious as the food in its unprocessed form. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, processed food falls on a spectrum from minimally processed, to heavily processed.

When choosing processed foods, it is important to read the food label?

When choosing processed foods it is important to read the food label; including the ingredient list. This will help you know exactly what is in that food and you are able to make an informed decision. Choose the option with the lowest added sugars, lowest sodium and no trans-fat. This article was published by Michigan State University Extension.

Is it bad to eat processed foods?

Michigan State University Extension encourages that not all processed foods should be deemed evil. There is a time and place for each in a well-balanced diet. People are busy and picking up pre-cut and washed fruits vegetables is a better and less processed option than fruit snacks or vegetable chips. Using canned foods that could otherwise take a long time to prep, such as beans and tuna, helps people in a time crunch to consume these nutritious foods. Keep the “spectrum” in mind when choosing processed foods, so you choose minimally processed foods more often than heavily processed foods.

What is a niche meat processor?

Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network: A network and resource clearinghouse for small meat processing, including resources for new and existing processing businesses, mobile slaughter, and meat producers.

What is AAMP in meat?

American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP): The largest meat trade association in North America. AAMP provides members with information on industry trends, important national news and other factors that might affect a processors business.

What is the role of distribution in the food system?

Specifically, for small and mid-sized producers to remain profitable, they need an efficient yet economic means to transport inventory to customers. USDA has several resources that connect producers to consumer outlets.

What is agricultural processing?

For purposes of this paper, the agricultural processing sector is defined as the horizontal set of activities engaged exclusively in the production of processed products from the processing of agricultural raw materials. Many economists believe the agricultural processing sector constitutes an important thrust for development in LDCs for the different accomplishments that it can bring about, such as: (1) increasing GDP through the provision of additional goods and new processed products in the country; (2) providing income and employment in rural areas, because of their strong backward linkage to primary agriculture, thus reducing uneven income distribution and diminishing ongoing rural-urban migration problems; (3) creating a source of exports and foreign exchange; (4) providing training to unskilled new employees, as well as fringe benefits, thus upgrading the level of education and living standards prevailing in underdeveloped areas; and (5) stimulating agricultural production by creating new stable intermediate markets for raw agricultural products and assisting producers in improving their farming now-how in some processing activities through vertical integration and production contracts with processors.

What are the characteristics of a processing industry?

A very important characteristic of processing industries is its strong relationship with other important sectors of the economy, like the grocery and wholesale sectors, that create thousand of jobs, as well as with the service sector and the growing tourist industry, that bring about a vigorous expanding demand for food processed products. Agricultural processing industries providing relatively sizable amount of employment in Colombia in 1968 were bakeries, beer and soft drink manufacturers, textiles, and the coffee industry (coffee hullers and roasters).

Why is raw material important in agriculture?

Because of the strong functional interaction (backward linkages) between processing industries and the primary production sub-sector , agricultural raw material availability is a critical constraint. In many industries, difficulties in raw material procurement sets a limit to the size of processing plants, and often explains why existing plants are not being used to full capacity. In the case of canning or freezing fruit and vegetables, a year-round regular supply of the raw material is required for plants to work at full capacity. Even with reduced-scale plants, suppliers—but especially small farmers—in LDCs have difficulties in supplying processors with the required quantities and qualities of the raw material. Fruits are sometimes either too green or too ripe, or too small or too big. Thus, grading and handling in most LDCs increases the processing costs. This stems in part from the lack of government grades and standards and from the seasonal characteristics of the production of some agricultural raw materials.

Why should poultry processing plants be expanded?

Poultry Processing Plants: Expansion of current poultry dressing plant capacity, and installation of new poultry processing plants, will be required to meet growing national and tourist demand for fresh dressed chickens. Elsewhere I have proposed (Ricardo 2003) that the number of chickens (broilers) produced per year in Cuba should be limited on a per farm basis. This should be done for two reasons: sanitation and disease control, and to secure that small farmers interested in growing broilers have an option to operate a profitable enterprise. Poultry processors in the US are usually integrated with mixed feed manufacturers and broiler growers. The poultry industry is the most industrialized sub-sector of U.S. agriculture, with 95% of growers using production contracts in which growers provide the land, poultry houses, fuel and labor, while the contractors provide the baby chicks, feed, medicines, and veterinarian services.

Why are per unit production costs higher?

Per unit production costs may be higher if processing plants are small and therefore do not capture the advantage of economies of scale inherent in modern food processing technology. Likewise, costs are higher if plants are not utilized to full capacity.

What is food processing?

Food processing requires a knowledge of the chemistry, microbiology, and physical composition of foods. Early types of food processing included cooking, smoking, fermentation, and drying. These methods have been refined but are still in use today. New technologies have been developed, including irradiation, high-pressure, extrusion, …

What is food processing wastewater?

Food processing wastewaters are generated mainly from food-processing industries, food services and retail establishments. The characteristics of food processing wastewater are extremely varied. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) ranges from as low as 100 mg/L to as high as 100 000 mg/L. While suspended solids can be as high as 120 000 mg/L, in some wastes they almost completely absent. The wastewater may be highly acidic (pH 3.0) or highly alkaline (11.0). Food processing wastewaters usually contain organic matter either in dissolved or colloidal form. The concentration of organic matter, varies between different types of food processing wastewater. In generally, food processing wastewaters have high ratios of volatile solids/ total solids (VS/TS), which indicate high energy content. The volume of wastewater also varies widely, some sources generating only a small amount and others one or more million gallons per day.

What is food processing facility design?

Food processing facility design is a challenging, dynamic, and exciting activity that requires an organized, methodical approach to achieve success. Success is often celebrated when the facility has fulfilled the requirements of the startup phase on schedule and within budget. True success, however, is best measured by the long-term satisfaction of the plant management, operations, maintenance, engineering, and cleanup crews. The intrinsic value of advance planning and sound design and construction will be appreciated for many years in a food processing facility that is profitable, simple to operate, maintain, and adaptable to meet the changes of an industry that is constantly in transition.

Why is food processing important?

Food processing is fundamental to counteract food spoilage by microorganisms and enzymes and to make a huge variety of products, from raw to ready to eat food. Package and label ensure safety and contain useful information to trace the foodstuff, to appropriately handle and to alert for the presence of allergens.

Why is the concentration of organic matter in food processing wastewater high?

The concentration of organic matter in food processing wastewater varies with each type of processing, but generally the Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS) concentration for food processing wastewater is high due to the carryover of food product from processing into the wastewater stream.

What is the best treatment for food processing wastewater?

Biological treatment is accepted as the most appropriate approach to food processing wastewater, the method used depending on the characteristics of the wastewater to be treated. Among the aerobic and anaerobic treatments available, the most effective methods include activated sludge, biological filtration, anaerobic digestion, oxidation ponds, lagoons, and spray irrigation. The most widely used anaerobic treatment for food processing wastewater is anaerobic digestion. A key advantage of anaerobic digestion over other conventional methods is the ability to convert organic matter to energy-rich biogas that can be used as a fuel or upgraded for use in clean fuel vehicles.

Will the need for processed food increase?

The need for processed food is expected to increase even further when the global population increases further. Environmental concerns related to food processing that require consideration, such as the use of fossil fuels and the disposal of residual matters of food processing, will have to be reviewed.