A fruit is the edible part of a plant that consists of the seeds and surrounding tissues. A fruit is the mature ovary of a plant or the succulent edible part of woody plants.

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Vegetables are plants cultivated for their edible parts. They are the edible portions of a plant that can be eaten such as the leaves, stem, tubers, roots and bulbs, the sweet and fleshy product of a tree or other plant that contains seed and can be eaten as food.

The Fruits and Vegetables Value Chain

Value Chain Descriptions:

  1. Inputs
  • Seeds : Essential for planting.
  • Fertilizers : Used to enrich the soil and promote plant growth.
  • Agrochemicals (Herbicides, Fungicides & Pesticides) : Protect crops from pests and diseases.
  • Farm Equipment : Tools and machinery used in farming activities.
  • Irrigation Equipment : Systems used to water crops.
  1. Production for Export
  • Farms: Fruit & Vegetables for Processed Food : These farms grow produce specifically for processing.
  • Farms: Fruit & Vegetables for Fresh Consumption :
    • Small Farms : Typically smaller-scale operations.
    • Medium & Large Farms : Larger-scale operations with higher production capacity.
  1. Packing & Cold Storage
  • Exporter Companies :
    • Packing Plants (Selection, packing, cutting, grading) : Facilities where produce is sorted, packed, cut, and graded.
    • Cold Storage Units : Facilities where produce is stored at controlled temperatures to maintain freshness.
  • Large Producer Exporter Companies :
    • Farms : Often integrated with packing plants and cold storage units.
    • Packing Plants (Selection, packing, cutting, grading) : Similar to those in exporter companies.
    • Cold Storage Units : Similar to those in exporter companies.
  1. Processing
  • Processing Companies :
    • Dried : Produce that is dried for preservation.
    • Frozen : Produce that is frozen for long-term storage.
    • Preserved : Produce that is preserved using methods like canning or pickling.
    • Juices & Pulps : Produce that is processed into juices and pulps.
  1. Distribution & Marketing
  • Supermarkets : Retail outlets selling a wide range of products.
  • Food Services : Restaurants, cafes, and other food service establishments.
  • Importers & Wholesalers : Companies that import and distribute produce in bulk.
  • Small-scale Retailers : Local markets and small shops.
  1. Residues
Residues generated during the production and processing stages are managed appropriately.
  1. R&D
Research and development efforts are ongoing to improve processes and product quality.

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