Back to: Pre Vocational Studies Primary 6
Welcome to class!
Hello my resourceful student! I’m so happy to have you back for another practical lesson. Today, we’re going to talk about “preservation of farm produce.” This means different ways of keeping food from the farm fresh and safe to eat for longer periods. It’s like putting food in the fridge or freezer at home so it doesn’t spoil quickly. Let’s begin!
Preservation of Farm Produce
After farmers harvest their crops or collect their animal products, it’s important to preserve them so they don’t spoil. Spoiled food is not only wasted but can also make people sick.
Here are some common methods of preserving farm produce:
- Drying:
- This involves removing moisture from the food, which prevents the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast that cause spoilage.
- Sun drying: This is a traditional method where food is spread out in the sun to dry. Examples include drying grains like maize and rice, fruits like mangoes and tomatoes, and vegetables like pepper.
- Mechanical drying: This involves using machines like ovens or dryers to dry food.
- Smoking:
- This involves exposing food to smoke from burning wood. The smoke helps to dry the food and also adds flavor and acts as a preservative.
- This method is often used for preserving meat and fish.
- Salting:
- This involves using salt to preserve food. Salt draws out moisture and creates an environment that is not suitable for most microorganisms to grow.
- This method is often used for preserving meat, fish, and some vegetables.
- Freezing:
- This involves storing food at very low temperatures, which slows down the activity of microorganisms and enzymes that cause spoilage.
- This method is often used for preserving fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish.
- Canning:
- This involves sealing food in airtight cans or jars and then heating them to kill any microorganisms that may be present.
- This method is often used for preserving fruits, vegetables, and sauces.
- Fermentation:
- This involves using microorganisms like bacteria or yeast to change the properties of food. This can create unique flavors and also help to preserve the food.
- Examples include making yogurt from milk, fermenting cassava to make fufu or garri, and pickling vegetables.
- Refrigeration:
- This involves storing food at cool temperatures (but not freezing), which slows down the growth of microorganisms.
- This method is often used for preserving fruits, vegetables, milk, and other perishable foods for shorter periods.
Let’s use some examples. Farmers might dry maize in the sun to store it for later use. Fishermen might smoke fish to preserve it and sell it at the market. People might freeze fruits like mangoes to enjoy them out of season.
So, to summarize, preserving farm produce is important for preventing food spoilage and ensuring that food is available throughout the year. There are many different methods of preservation, including drying, smoking, salting, freezing, canning, fermentation, and refrigeration.
Now, let’s do a quick review. Can you name three methods of preserving farm produce? Can you explain how drying helps to preserve food? Can you give an example of a food that is often preserved by smoking? Take a moment to think about it.
Excellent! You’re doing a fantastic job! I’m so proud of your learning. Remember, preserving farm produce helps to reduce food waste and ensures that we have access to nutritious food all year round. Keep up the amazing work!
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