Leh, Aug 03: Students of B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture from the School of Agriculture Science and Technology (SAS&T), University of Ladakh, were taken on an academic exposure visit to the Fruit Processing Unit of the Department of Horticulture in Nimmo, Leh. The visit, held under the guidance of Dr. Anwar Hussain, Course Instructor for Food Technology and Coordinator of the B.Sc. Agriculture program, formed part of the Skill Enhancement Course on post-harvest processing.
The educational tour aimed to deepen student understanding of post-harvest management systems and technological applications in preserving delicate crops. The itinerary emphasized cold chain logistics and modern processing techniques designed to reduce post-harvest losses in highly perishable fruits, particularly apricot and seabuckthorn — two high-value produce of Ladakh.
Technical sessions were conducted by Mr. Tsewang Gyalson, in charge of the unit, and Mr. Tsering Ngodup, Grading and Marketing Inspector, Department of Horticulture, Leh. The experts provided a detailed walkthrough of the unit’s operations, covering various stages from fruit reception to packaging. Demonstrations included procedures such as fruit precooling, selection, sorting, ozone-based washing, surface drying, and storage protocols aimed at maintaining quality and extending shelf life.
Students received hands-on exposure to a wide range of equipment housed within the facility, including pulper machines, steam-jacketed cookers, vacuum dryers, bottling and capping systems, oil extractors, and solar drying units. The session underscored how mechanization contributes to both value addition and product integrity in processed fruit goods.
The visit bridged theoretical instruction with real-world applications, providing students with a closer look at industrial practices aligned with their curriculum. Faculty and students alike welcomed the initiative as a practical learning experience, contributing to the academic goal of producing agriculturists equipped to navigate the demands of modern agri-processing environments.
