Harvest Vegetables During Morning and Evening to Beat the Heat – IARI Advisory

Agriculture Advisory for Indian Farmers from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

04 May 2025, New Delhi: As temperatures rise in the northern plains, farmers growing vegetables must take extra precautions to protect their produce during harvesting. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has issued an advisory encouraging farmers to carry out harvesting activities during the early morning or late evening hours when the ambient temperatures are relatively lower. This small but crucial step can help maintain the freshness, quality, and shelf life of harvested vegetables.

Vegetables are highly perishable and sensitive to heat. Harvesting them during peak afternoon hours can result in moisture loss, shriveling, and rapid spoilage, leading to lower market value and higher post-harvest losses. High temperatures also cause an increase in the respiration rate of the produce, accelerating the degradation of nutritional quality and visual appeal. Therefore, timing the harvest correctly is essential.

Morning and evening harvesting helps retain internal moisture in crops like tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, brinjals, and leafy greens. After harvesting, the vegetables should be kept in a shaded area or cool shed to prevent direct exposure to sunlight and reduce the heat load. This practice not only protects the harvested produce but also reduces the stress on farm labourers who work under challenging field conditions.

Proper handling after harvesting is equally important. Sorting out damaged or overripe vegetables immediately and storing healthy produce in crates or baskets lined with soft material can help minimize physical damage during transportation. If storage is required, farmers should consider using cool, well-ventilated spaces or invest in simple evaporative coolers where feasible.

In addition to careful harvesting, timely marketing of the produce is essential to ensure that it reaches the consumer in fresh condition. Farmers’ groups or cooperatives can plan harvesting schedules together and coordinate transportation to avoid delays.

By following IARI’s recommendation and aligning harvesting practices with the weather forecast, farmers can enhance both the quality and profitability of their vegetable crops during the hot summer season.

Also Read: Coromandel International Announces Financial Results; Crop Protection Revenue Reaches Rs. 2,635 Cr

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