POST HARVEST PROFILE OF JOWAR

P R E F A C E

Jowar (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is an important cereal crop after rice and wheat in India. It is grown extensively in the tropical and sub-tropical environments. India contributed 21.51 percent of the total area under jowar with 12.67 percent of total world production during 2005. It is cultivated for food, feed and fodder. Jowar is an important staple food for millions of people in the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa. This crop sustains the lives of the poorest rural people and will continue in the foreseeable future.

The Inter-Ministerial Task Force on Agricultural Marketing Reforms (May, 2002), suggested several measures for strengthening agricultural marketing system in the country for benefiting the farming community to enhance the share of farmers in the ultimate price of their produce as well as for various market functionaries in the new liberalized global market opportunities. This profile has been prepared on the recommendation of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force with a view to enable the farming community to scientifically manage the post-harvest operations in respect of jowar and to widening awareness for better marketing of their produce. The profile covers almost all aspects of the marketing, such as post-harvest management, marketing practices, quality standards, grading, packaging, transportation, storage, SPS requirements, marketing problems, marketing information, etc.

This "Post-Harvest Profile of Jowar" has been drafted by Shri MANOJ KUMAR, Marketing Officer under the supervision and guidance of Shri B.D. SHERKAR, Dy. Agricultural Marketing Adviser, D.M.I. B.H.O., Nagpur.

The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection gratefully acknowledges the assistance and co-operation extended by various Government/Semi-Government/Private organisations in supplying the relevant data/information required for compilation of the Profile.

The Government of India should not be regarded as assuming responsibility for any of the statements contained in this Profile.

Faridabad.

Dated :06/08/2007                                                                                                                              

-sd
(U.K.S. Chauhan)
Agricultural Marketing Adviser
to the Government of India

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