GFAR blog

YAP Proposal #24: “Post-Harvest Fruit Bagging” (Amol Shirgire, India)

Peter Casier
Pre-harvest fruit bagging
Pre-harvest fruit bagging

Man on mission to make a difference

Two years after starting an agri-venture in 2014 at age of 27 the founder of Aamhi Shetkari (We Farmers) Agritech, Mr. Amol Shirgire is a man on mission to make a difference in Agriculture sector. He has done Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with graduation in field of Agriculture.

Aamhi Shetkari Agritech works mainly in two domains; firstly it provides crop management advisory services to rural farmers in order to help them cultivate good quality marketable produce using minimum resources. Secondly, it helps farmers in marketing their produce in domestic as well as international markets. Since 2014, the venture has consulted more than 900 Farmers in State of Maharashtra, India and marketed produce of around 500 MT to domestic as well as International markets.

During this journey, we learnt many things from Farmers while working with them and also came across problems faced by them on day-to-day basis. We consulted mainly pomegranate growers as its main cash crop in area of our work. They are incurring huge loss ranging from 50 to 70% due to damage in fruits, mainly because of sunburn on skin, fruit fly and black spots due to bacterial plague. The problem is grave and needs to be addressed immediately. Various solutions were tried like covering trees with cloth or Polyethylene Plastic sheets. But they proved to be expensive and not that effective.

We have found one very simple but extraordinary solution to this problem, by bagging pomegranate fruits with white kraft paper bags as shown in picture. Bagging of fruits protects them from excessive heat of the sun, which causes damage to skin of fruits, keeps them safe from frost, excessive moisture and most importantly from fruit flies and bacterial infection. This simple tool will help farmers to cultivate good quality export quality fruits and fetch them good returns.

Initial field trials taken by our team were successful and shown positive results. Now, we intent to promote this idea among all farmers in the State of Maharashtra (India) by establishing demonstration plots at each block level. First time users, we call them innovators are reluctant to use new method or tools initially hence, these bags will be supplied to them at 50% discounted prices to make them affordable for use. As many as 80 bags are required to bag one Pomegranate plant and cost incurred is around USD 0.6 per plant. Hence, we propose to use USD 5000 grant money to buy USD 10,000 worth bags and then distribute it among Pomegranate Farmers undertaking this operation for first time.

The project will be launched with help of Agriculture Department of Maharashtra in each district in phase wise manner. We have already started discussion with officials of Agriculture department and they are ready to support us in this initiative by using their network to promote this idea amongst fruit growers in the state.

A cost to benefit analysis was done by our team, which concluded that use of paper bags is most cost effective and efficient tool to save fruits from external damage. For bagging one hectare plot of pomegranates average cost is around USD 600, while marketable value of fruits increases by 20 to 30% on an average giving additional income of around USD 2500 per hectare to the farmer.

Maharashtra State has approx. 85,000 hectares of pomegranate orchards and hence this project will benefit around 100,000 growers if each one starts using this tool of bagging fruits. The volume of fruits being exported will increase automatically and fetch Farmers good returns. This project will help us in reaching maximum growers and increase our volume of trade by marketing these fruits to domestic as well as international markets.

This simple tool will certainly prove to be a game changer in times to come. We look forward for your suggestions and remarks on this initiative.

Blogpost submitted by Amol Shirgire (India) – aamhi.shetkari(at)gmail.com
Picture courtesy: Laiyang Yintong Papermaking Ltd

The content, structure and grammar is at the discretion of the author only.

This post is published as proposal #24 of “YAP” – our “Youth Agripreneur Project”.

The first selection of the winners will be based on the number of comments, likes and views each proposal gets.

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Have a look at the other “YAP” proposals too!
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“YAP” is part of the #GCARD3 process, the third Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development.

Published by Peter Casier

766 thoughts on “YAP Proposal #24: “Post-Harvest Fruit Bagging” (Amol Shirgire, India)”

  2. Congratulation sir. really this is new emerging Technic in pomegranate cultivation to protect fruit from said problem. Thousands of farmers start to accept it. we also provide fruit bagging to protect it.

    Reply

  3. I find that Mr Amol is sincerely & genuinely helping farmers to market their produce over and above his organisation helps farmers by educating them in various aspects and how to tackle problems related to agriculture and maximise the produce and profit

    Reply

  4. What is the paper? Is it plastic or plastic coated? If so, it will have other environmental issues. If it is paper, do you collect the used bag back for recycling? Please verify these issues

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    1. Dear Sir,
      Simple Paper bags will be used. Used bags can be used for next season if its not damaged. Torn bags will decompose easily without any environmental issues.

      Reply

    2. Dr J Gray. Mr Amol used paper bags and no issue of invoirment. we also provide disposable non woven fabric bagging for fruit cover and it is totally eco friendly. Farmer can use twice and easily dispose with any carbon raise..It may automatically decompose after one year in sun light….

      Reply

  8. Aol this is very accurate and precise solution for such a big problem in oUr area. I hope that would be hhelpful to oUr farmers. Let’s bring this to grass root level aand I help u to do that.

    Reply

  9. Nice project Mr. Amol.. It’s really helpful for farmers..Congrats n All the Best for future projects…!!!

    Reply

  10. This is really a good tool to save fruits from external damage. Keep it up Mr. Amol and wish you best luck.
    Regards,
    Satish Deokar

    Reply

  11. The field of agriculture and horticulture requires such innovative and most feasible solutions to the problems of farmers.
    It will definitely fetch a good market price and built confidence among the feeders of our area and country.
    You are giving a complete justice to your qualification and hard work in the vital culture of the nation.

    Reply

  12. Mr. Amol Shirgire
    It’s really a good effort to reach farmers community and bring awareness regarding advances in agricultural.
    Person like you can make difference by consistent knowledge transfer on this platform.
    Your efforts are worth appreciable! Wish you all the best and success on your way.

    Reply

  13. Awesome study done which will surely help the farmers to yield more and increase the production from rural areas to take farming at next level …keep up the work young man……allthebest

    Reply

  14. Awesome study done which will surely help the farmers to yield more and increase the production from rural areas to take farming at next level .. keep up the work young man ..

    Reply

    1. Mr ram Yes it may damage in rain hence we suggest samle type of bag made from polypropylene known as non woven breathable bags use in rain. Due to breathability it does not damage fruit and easily dried..

      Reply

  20. Very nice project,it will be beneficial to farmers.
    This is a very effective tool for saving fruit from external damage.

    Reply

  21. The project is surely going to benefit all fruit growers in Maharashtra. Please go ahead and start immediately.

    Reply

  22. Congratulations Amol,
    You doing great work in the field of where many of youth today not even wants to part of it.
    Great going and best of luck..

    Regards,
    Rakesh Sathliya

    Reply

  23. Great work Amol,

    Really awesome we need people like you in agricultural field. Keep doing such things.

    Great work again.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your kind words. Yes, we will continue to work for farmers and social benefit.

      Reply

  24. Great work Amol….This is innovative idea….Keep doing work for farmers…Best Luck..

    Reply

  25. creative idea Amol, its cost effective as well and i think farmers will be benefited from this technology by producing quality produces.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your expert interpretation. It gives a confirmation to me that we are on right path.

      Reply

  27. Congratulations Amol, Definitely in future it will be more workable and valuable assets for common man, Keep it up

    Reply

    1. Yes. This tool will help farmers to produce good quality fruits each season and fetch them good returns. Altogether it will help in getting valuable foreign currency through exports.

      Reply

  28. It’s a very grateful and helpful job done by u amol . U will encourage more farmers to produce and do farming of Pomogranets and this will give a big result for production . It will really help all the farmers to get rid on their losses and they can live a better life also. Great job mitra.

    Reply

    1. Thats the spirit. Thanks for supporting us in our social venture and surely it will help us in getting quality produce for exports.

      Reply

  29. Dear Sir,
    Greetings!
    This tool will surely help farmers in saving fruits from external damage. In our area, sunburn on skin reduces price of fruits by 70% to 80% as arils remain white instead of white.
    Wish you all the best.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your confirmation effectiveness of this tool. It means a lot for us and gives us confidence.

      Reply

  30. Gr8 thought and initiative Amol it’ will really very heldful to farmer for pre harvest fruits. Cost effective implementation well done. Keep it up like this👍👍 and All the very best for you and amhi Shetkari💐

    Reply

  31. The cost to benefit analysis is same to our study and very practical approach towards this project amoI. Keep it up

    Reply

    1. Wow.. this proves our idea and we are up for large scale implementation of it. Thanks buddy.

      Reply

  35. Lets support Amol in spreading knowledge of this tool among our associated farmers. We already have started promoting this tool.

    Reply

  37. This is a very practical approach to helping farmers see the benefits of making a small investment in production or postharvest technology — we will share your post with our “Postharvest Training” discussion group on LinkedIn and our PEF e-learning groups. LK, The Postharvest Education Foundation

    Reply

    1. To,
      Lisa Kitinoja,
      President
      The Postharvest Education Foundation
      PO Box 38
      La Pine, Oregon 97739 USA

      Dear Madam,
      Its our indeed a pleasure to receive words of appreciation of our work along with your expert confirmation on effectiveness of the tool used by us.

      Thanks for your support extended in promoting our work.

      Thanks & Regards
      Amol.

      Reply

  41. Great work amol…….
    We need such types of innovative ideas for agricultural field which helps to increase production and productivity of agriculture……ultimately it helps to improve wealth of farmers……..Best wishes for your future innovation….

    Reply

    1. Thanks Vijay. I would like you to promote this tool through your Government Department.

      Reply

  42. Sir, your innovative thinking and precise knowledge in the agricultural sector is vast. It motivates many of us to contribute in your lateral thinking. Your zeal and enthusiasm to reach upto the farmers and help them in producing better quality products is inspiring. Wishing you and Amhi Shetkari team many more years of success.Regards

    Reply

    1. Yes. Agriculture is backbone of our economy and such small tools will make a difference. Thanks

      Reply

  44. Hi Amol,
    Great initiative which will help rural farmers. At the same time it will serve motive of eco friendly ness. Happy to see you being great worker.. All the best in future…

    Reply

  45. Congratulations to you sirji… The project is awesome and it will be so heplful to farmer’s. As working in the feild of agriculture will do to know farmer’s more about it and apply it …

    Reply

  47. 06:05
    Amol Sir really great work,
    need such kind of thinking and innovative Ideas in our society.
    Ur always have been excellent dear and wish u all the best and stay blessed always.

    Reply

    1. Thanks Saheb. I would be needing your help in promoting this tool in Beed District through your Agriculture Department of Government of Maharashtra.

      Reply

  48. Really great work Amol.. this type of innovative technology helps to improve productivity of pomegranate in continuously changing climatic condition.. Keep it Amol…

    Reply

    1. Correct. You pointed out rightly, adapting new tools as to cope with changing climates.

      Reply

  50. Amol we like you work. Now your path towards another Green Technological Revolution.. We proud of you…

    Reply

  51. Sir, we really like your new concept ” Bagging”. How it works sir?? Without fruit breathing….

    Reply

    1. The cover used are breathable hence there will be enough aeration for fruit to grow properly. It will help farmers to protect their fruits from Sunburn, fruit flies and bacterial plague infection.

      Reply

  52. Sir, I think this technology is costly for poor Indian farmer but helpful for big farmer..

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    1. Sir, this tool is most cost efficient as per our cost to benefit analysis. Small as well large farmer will be equally benefited from this tool.

      Reply

  53. Another Green Revolution knocking India doors… Hope it will became milestone for indian horticulture…

    Reply

    1. Yes, Horticulture is new focus area and second green revolution will surely through it.

      Reply

  54. This Bagging technology will helpful for another fruit crops like grapes, strawberry etc.??

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    1. Yes, This tool can be used to all horticultural crops like Pomegranates, Guava, Grapes, etc.

      Reply

  56. Congratulations Amol, on a well thought of initiative. Keep up the good work – amit abrol

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    1. Currently we have placed sample demonstration at Gala No 28 Rahata Market Yard Dist Ahmednagar

      Reply

    1. Bagging should be done ideally within one month after fruit setting when fruits reach lemon size.

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  59. We would like to congratulate you for taking this hard path and working in field of Agriculture. Keep it up.

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    1. One demonstration plot will be made ready by March end. Please contact me for further information.

      Reply

  61. Good tool for protection of fruits from External damage. We will surely promote this tool

    Reply

  62. We are fruit traders from Pune. We would like to use this tool among our associated farmers. Good luck.

    Reply

    1. Thats very kind of you. Please let me know for any support or info required from our side.

      Reply

  63. We have farm of 5 acres of Pomegranate. We would like to use this tool. Will contact you in coming season.

    Reply

  65. Sir, good initiative. Farmers from Maharashtra and other states will benefit if this tool is promoted well.

    Reply

    1. Yes correct. We will promote this tool among farmers on PAN India basis in times to come

      Reply

  67. Your initiative will bring in awareness among Farmers regarding avaliability of tool to Save their produce and make them quality consicous.

    Reply

  76. Nice initiative Sir…This will help all growers to Cultivate Good quality fruits…keep it up

    Reply

  77. Great work done amol sir…. farmers are facing such problems it may be major or minor but the problems directly effect on their yield n earnings…you are doing very very nice work…keep it up n best of luck. ..

    Reply

    1. You have pointed it correctly and hence we are working to address problems faced by farmers with innovative solutions with best cost to benefit ratio.

      Reply

  78. Good Project. It will help farmers to overcome external damage and increase quality to help farmers to get good returns.

    Reply

  83. Do let us know when you are ready with results of this project. We will replicate same in our area.

    Reply

  84. Very good work done by Mr. Amol so far, and I am sure he will keep this doing in coming future.

    Reply

  91. I have gone through full project note on this blog and found it very interesting. Good work Mr. Amol.

    Reply

  103. Pomegranate fruits price depends on skin colour and shiny clean outer appearance. Most fruits have good arils to eat but with damaged skin which results in deteriorating market price. This tool will help in increase in quality of appearance of fruits without skin damage, fetching good returns. Good thinking.

    Reply

    1. Very well explained my friend. This is crux of our project and thanks for precisely pointing it out.

      Reply

  105. Mr. Amol has been working in Agro sector and has got expertise to implement such projects. I highly recommend him.

    Reply

  113. This kind of initiative will surely help Farmers in overcoming hurdles they face in this erratic climate.

    Reply

  117. Horticulture is new booming sector and your tool will have vast application to all fruit crops

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  121. You are giving a complete justice to your qualification and hard work in the vital culture of the nation.

    Reply

  125. Still we have people like you who are working for social cause. Very good work. Keep it up

    Reply

  130. This tool will help Farmers to overcome problems and help them produce good quality fruits.

    Reply

  135. Sir, good initiative. Farmers from Maharashtra and other states will benefit if this tool is promoted well.

    Reply

  141. You have always come up with innovative thinking and I know you will make this project a grand success.

    Reply

  144. Good Project. It will help farmers to overcome external damage and increase quality to help farmers to get good returns.

    Reply

  151. Agriculture is mother science of all sciences. You are doing great job Amol for your society.

    Reply

  155. We appreciate work done by Amol in field of Agriculture. Wish him all the best for his future projects.

    Reply

  158. Mr. Amol has been instrumental in bringing innovative tools in field of Agriculture. This project is one of them. Best wishes for future endeavors.

    Reply

  159. Amol has been able to mobilize farmer community to implement innovative practices in Agriculture. This is just one example of it.

    Reply

  163. I find that Mr Amol is sincerely & genuinely helping farmers to market their produce over and above his organisation helps farmers by educating them in various aspects and how to tackle problems related to agriculture and maximise the produce and profit

    Reply

  164. Mr. Amol Shirgire
    It’s really a good effort to reach farmers community and bring awareness regarding advances in agricultural.

    Reply

  166. Great initiative which will help rural farmers. At the same time it will serve motive of eco friendly ness.

    Reply

  187. Awesome study done which will surely help the farmers to yield more and increase the production from rural areas

    Reply

  209. Lets support Amol in spreading knowledge of this tool among our associated farmers. We already have started promoting this tool.

    Reply

  211. The cost to benefit analysis is same to our study and very practical approach towards this project amoI. Keep it up

    Reply

  217. Congratulation sir. really this is new emerging Technique in pomegranate cultivation to protect fruit

    Reply

  223. This is really a good tool to save fruits from external damage. Keep it up Mr. Amol and wish you best luck.

    Reply

  227. this is very accurate and precise solution for such a big problem in our area. I hope that would be helpful to our farmers.

    Reply

  235. Sir, good initiative. Farmers from Maharashtra and other states will benefit if this tool is promoted well.

    Reply

  255. Farmers will now be able to save their fruits from external damage which will help them to market in overseas markets.

    Reply

  267. Hi Amol. Your work has always inspired us. This time too you have come up with innovative tool to help farmers. Good work and keep it up

    Reply

  270. We are with you Amol in this initiative and would extend our hand of help to spread this tool among Farmers.

    Reply

  275. Mr. Amol has been very proactive in educating Farmers for cultivation and bringing in innovations at field level. Its easier said than done and hence, we would like to wish you all the best for this competition.

    Reply

  279. We need youth leaders like you to bring in social change to make this place a better place to live in

    Reply

  301. Congratulation sir. really this is new emerging Technic in pomegranate cultivation to protect fruit from said problem. Thousands of farmers start to accept it.

    Reply

  304. We can save fruits from external damage and get good quality which is easily marketable. All the best.

    Reply

  313. This initiative will help Farmers in overcoming hurdles they face in this erratic climate.

    Reply

  317. This kind of intervention will help achieving expected returns we are looking from Farming.

    Reply

  318. You are using your management skills and expertise in Agriculture for benefit of Farmers. Good to see your progress. Keep it up

    Reply

  321. Tropical areas with high temperature and sunlight intensity, this tool will be handy for saving damage.

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  324. Tropical areas with high temperature and sunlight intensity, this tool will be handy for saving damage.

    Reply

  334. Bagging fruits on trees is really good tool to save them from external damage and earn from marketable export quality.

    Reply

  335. I have known Amol since long and know that he will make this project a grand success through his dedication and hard work.

    Reply

  367. Your efforts are on right path and they will surely benefit your society. Best Wishes

    Reply

  379. I have seen this use of bags for covering fruits. It really helps. Good Project for Fruit Growers

    Reply

  396. This is fantastic, I know Amol since 6 years and he was that silent worker who was so committed to his cause. Well done Amol, keep up the good work.

    Reply

  398. Mr Amolji I hope you have taken trial of bag which i have sent you. Many farmers used it and satisfied with results so pl give us your words about your experienced.

    Reply

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