Bengal promoting horticulture, food processing in a big way

The Hindu Business Line reports - Targeting the “tremendous potential”, the West Bengal Government is actively promoting the horticulture sector through a central scheme that encourages food processing in the private, public and joint sectors to generate employment.

“Since the agri-horticulture sector in the State holds tremendous potential, there is immense potential for employment generation and growth of self-employment,” the Food Processing Industries and Horticulture Minister, Mr Abu Hena, told PTI.

The central scheme, the National Horticulture Mission (NHM), aims to promote the horticulture sector, covering fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, cashew and cocoa.

Read full article: The Hindu Business Line

POSTHARVEST HANDLING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Horticulture Technical Note: Post-harvest Handling  of Fruits and Vegetables

Abstract:  Appropriate production practices, careful harvesting, and proper packaging, storage, and transport all contribute to good produce quality.  This publication covers post-harvest practices suitable for small-scale operations, and points out the importance of production and harvesting techniques for improving quality and storability.  Various methods for cooling fresh produce are discussed, and resources are listed for further information, equipment, and supplies.

Link to Technical Note: http://www.okfarmtoschool.com/pdf/postharvest.pdf

Mexican pomefruit production to rise, grapes to fall in 2011-12

Mexican apple and pear production is set for a slight rise this season while freezing temperatures are set to impact table grape harvests, according to a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report.

The USDA Global Agricultural Information Network’s (GAIN) ‘Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual’ reported that Mexico’s main apple-growing state Chihuahua was expected to boost production through higher use of intensive management practices.

The report forecast 605,000 metric tons (MT) of apples in 2011-12, 25,200MT of pears and 210,000MT of table grapes.

Read full article at FreshFruitPortal.com.

Commodity Bulletins from India's NHB

A set of crop bulletins are available from India's National Horticulture Board. The bulletins provide cultural information for crops such as Vegetables, Fruits, Flowers and Aroma Plants.

The National Horticulture Board (NHB) was set up by the Government of India in 1984 as an autonomous society under the Societies Registration Act 1860. Board has its Head Quarter in Institutional Area, Sector 18, Gurgaon (Haryana).

Link: http://nhb.gov.in/statistics/commodity-bulletin.html

Contact Information:
National Horticulture Board
Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India
85, Institutional Area, Sector - 18
Gurgaon - 122015 (Haryana)
Telephone 0124-2342992, 2347441, 2342989-90 FAX : 2342991
Website: http://www.nhb.gov.in

Ben Lomond, CA: Class: How To Start a Winter Vegetable Garden

Tuesday, Aug 18 9:00a to 3:00p at Love Apple Farm, Ben Lomond, CA

Learn how to start and tend a winter vegetable garden. Growing a garden in winter is possible with our mild California climate. Winter gardens are not just limited to greens and cabbage. We will discuss over 20 different kinds of winter vegetables, and sow a flat to take home to tend and transplant. read more

Price: Tuition: $55 Materials: $20
Phone: (831) 588-3801
Age Suitability: Teens and up

Learn how to start and tend a winter vegetable garden. Growing a garden in winter is possible with our mild California climate. Winter gardens are not just limited to greens and cabbage. We will discuss over 20 different kinds of winter vegetables, and sow a flat to take home to tend and transplant.

Slideshow of Passion Flowers / Fruits

Combative and companion fruits and vegetables in the Denver garden

Did you plant companion vegetables, fruits and herbs in your Denver garden? Companion vegetables, fruits and herbs thrive next to each other in the garden. If your garden is failing you may have planted combative vegetables, fruits and herbs. Read more:
Combative and companion fruits and vegetables in the Denver garden Source: examiner.com

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Long live knobbly carrots: ban on ugly fruit and vegetables is scrapped

Times Online

Valerie Elliott, Consumer Editor

Ugly fruit and vegetables which have grown just as nature intended will be back on supermarket shelves from tomorrow — and could be up to 40 per cent cheaper than their perfectly formed cousins.

In a triumph for curvy cucumbers, knobbly carrots or wizened cherries, the European Commission has scrapped 20-year-old rules which discriminated against imperfect fresh produce.

In all, 36 types of fruit and vegetables can now be sold whatever their shape, size, lack of sheen or gnarled skin. Even garlic heads with cloves missing will make it to shop shelves and a string of onions no longer has to have 16 bulbs.

But the rules will not end the jokes about bendy bananas — the standards for bananas are governed by a different set of European Union rules. One EU official said that bananas were supposed to be bendy, unlike cucumbers.

Read more:

Vegetable, fruit ripeness guide

SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN-TIMES • June 27, 2009 12:15 AM

This time of year, vegetable gardens should be bursting with fresh produce. The Old Farmer's Almanac Web site, Almanac.com, tells how to recognize when fruits and vegetables are ready to harvest. Whether you're growing it or buying it at a tailgate market, here's what you need to know.

Beans: Taste one and decide. You many want to start harvesting French snap or string beans when they are about the diameter of a chopstick, maybe even thinner. Standard varieties are ready when they are as thick as a pencil and before the seeds swell and become visible through the pods. Lima beans are ready when their pods take on a green color and feel full. When bean pods turn white, feed them to the pigs or the compost pile.

Chives : Cut before the purple blossoms form and keep them cut back for the sweetest flavor.

Read more: