Perception of Mango Growers towards Enhanced Freshness Formulation (EFF) Technology- A Study in Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Mango fruits are perishable, and as a result, they are prone to significant post-harvest losses. However, mango fruits lost roughly 35% of their value at several phases from farm to consumer level. Enhanced Freshness Formulation (EFF) is a relatively new technology that has been proven to help prolong shelf life, minimize insect problems, and improve fruit quality. The objective of the study was analyze the perception of mango growers towards EFF technology. Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. Krishnagiri district was selected purposively since it possessed the maximum number of farmers who had adopted EFF technology. The duration of the study was about 1 month, June 2022. Based on simple random sampling, the data has been collected from 120 mango growers by using pre-testing and a well-structured interview schedule. The statistical tool used was descriptive statistics. EFF users placed a higher value on shelf life (4.608) followed by uniform ripening (4.375), fruit freshness (4.083), and finally environmental repercussions (1.8) and minimal adverse health (1.7). EFF technology is considered vital in enhancing fruit quality and prolonging shelf life. These twin benefits can allow farmers to sell fruits in niche and high-value markets, reduce postharvest losses and improve economic returns for the farmers.