The purpose of processing industries is to add value to products and are usually directly related to the final consumer or to other industries in the supply chain.
These industries play an important role in the global economy and employment, and play a significant role in the development of a country’s industry and economy.
Agriculture is also a powerful industry for creating added value and creating jobs, as the food industry and transformation sector is considered as an important sector in agriculture after production.
In this sector, different individuals and groups enter with the aim of creating added value and include rich profits.
Processing or alternative industries is an industry that enters and produces new products in the three sectors of processing, packaging and storage of agricultural products.
Therefore, agricultural processing industries refer to a group of activities and industries that carry out agricultural products from the production stage in fields and gardens to the stage of transformation into final products or products with higher added value, processing, packaging, transportation and storage. These industries help to develop and upgrade agricultural products and increase their added value.
In fact, processing or alterant industries refer to businesses that convert raw materials or finished products from one form or state to another form or state.
These industries are usually involved in the supply chain of raw materials to final products. In other words, transformation processes in the supply chain refer to processes and activities that deal with the production and transformation of products.
processing
Food processing has different forms and is divided into primary and secondary processing. In the initial processing, the physical and chemical properties of the products undergo minimal changes.
Such as cutting meat and packing it, milling wheat and pasteurizing milk can be part of primary processing.
In secondary processing, more operations are performed on raw materials and new products such as flour, starch, dairy products, sugar and edible oils are produced.
With ultra-processing operations, products such as jam, cakes, soft drinks and semi-prepared foods can be prepared. However, in the following, some cases of processing of agricultural products are mentioned:
Production of food products: foods such as bread, cakes, cookies; Canned food such as canned fruit, canned vegetables and canned fish; Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, buttermilk and cheese
Production of textile products: cotton processing such as turning cotton into yarn and fabric weaving
Production of chemicals: vegetable oils such as soybean oil, sunflower oil and olive oil; Extracts and essential oils such as plant extracts used in cosmetics and health industries.
Production of medicinal products: plant extracts such as production of medicines and food supplements
The production of chipboard and synthetic fibers: such as the use of plant particles such as cotton and linen in the production of chipboard and synthetic fibers
Production of beverages: such as soft drinks and fruit juice
Production of fertilizers and agricultural additives: such as organic and chemical fertilizers from biological and chemical materials obtained from processing agricultural materials
packing
Packaging of agricultural products refers to an activity that prepares agricultural and horticultural products after harvesting and processing, in suitable packages and using different technologies for transportation, storage, and supply to the market.
This activity is done in order to protect the products against damage, increase the useful life, attract the attention of consumers and improve the health of the products.
Some of the most important purposes of packaging agricultural products are:
Product protection: Packaging helps products to be protected against physical damage (impact, pressure, moisture), chemical damage (oxidation, contamination) and vital damage (loss of quality and nutritional value).
Commercial information: Packaging can provide the consumer with important information about the product, including information on how to use, ingredients, expiration dates, and health endorsements.
Ease of transportation: Proper packaging can facilitate the transportation of products and prevent waste and damage during transportation.
Improving attractiveness and marketability: Beautiful and attractive packaging can attract the attention of consumers and increase the marketability of the product.
Product history information: Packaging may provide the consumer with information about the product’s history, production location, and cultivation methods.
Packaging is the main work of every industry that gives a lot of added value to the products. In agriculture, in the first place, an operation such as the grading of agricultural products is carried out.
Different devices have been made for grading different products, which respect the physical and chemical characteristics of each product and are designed specifically for it.
To supply the product to the final consumer, it is important to use different packaging and materials to maintain the chemical and physical properties of the products, and this issue has diversified the world of packaging and the field of research in this field.
storage
Storage of agricultural products refers to an activity that crops and garden products are kept in suitable conditions after harvesting and processing in order to maintain their quality and nutritional value over time.
Storage is the most important step in the supply chain of agricultural products and helps to prevent waste and loss of product quality.
Storage is an important industry in the field of agriculture, and in the field of post-production, it has a great role to maintain the value of agricultural operations, because proper storage does not waste farmers’ efforts.
The construction of different cold storage facilities for different agricultural products requires investment and special and powerful knowledge, which makes the presence of these complexes in agricultural areas important.
Below are some of the most important methods and tips in storage The production of agricultural products is given:
Cold stores and warehouses
Cold stores: to store products at low temperatures to minimize waste and damage
Warehouses: warehouse environments that are controlled according to product requirements, temperature, humidity, and other characteristics
Drying and ventilation
Drying: Using drying methods such as feeding or desiccants to remove moisture and prevent the growth of microorganisms.
Ventilation: Ensuring proper ventilation in warehouses and cold stores by using proper ventilation systems
Humidity and temperature control: using humidity and temperature control devices to maintain proper storage conditions
Management of memory materials: using memory materials such as moisture absorbers to control humidity and long-term storage of products
Management of gases: use of protective gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) to prevent spoilage and long-term storage.
Technology management: using modern technologies to better control and monitor storage conditions
Close monitoring: Close monitoring of storage conditions through monitoring and control systems
Agricultural processing industries in Iran
Conversion industries in Iran need to be given special attention and before the production of agricultural products, related industries should be established in agricultural areas to prevent the loss of agricultural products.
Therefore, one of the main tasks of agricultural managers is the development of this sector, because Iran has a diverse agricultural industry and produces various products.
Women in Iran play a significant role in the processing of agricultural products, and in most villages, small processing workshops have been established, which, with the acceptance of local products by the Iranian people, bring good income to the producers.
