Due to varied agro climatic conditions, different types of fruits and vegetables are grown in India and at present India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. However, the huge post harvest losses to the tune of 30-40 percent occur every year owing to the improper post harvest management practices. The careless harvesting, improper loading and inadequate storage and processing facilities are the major factors which cause the post harvest losses in India. The Konkan region is well regarded as fruit belt of Maharashtra. The different fruits such as mango, cashew, kokum, karonda, plantation crops and spices as well as many vegetables are grown on large scale in the four districts of the Konkan region. At present, the total area under fruit crops in the state is 12.50 lakh hectares with annual fruit production of 65.0 lakh tonnes. Swift expeditious strides are being made for enhancing the production and increasing the area under fruit cultivation through Employment Guarantee Scheme launched from 1990-91 by the Government of Maharashtra. As a result the area under fruit crops increased four times in ten years and the production increased from 27.23 lakh tonnes to 65.0 lakh tonnes. However, the preservation aspect is still not taken care properly.

Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli has been actively engaged in developing technologies for the best possible utilization of these fruits of the Konkan region.