**3.5. Usage of IR-based technologies in agricultural inspection**

NIR applications, especially NIR spectroscopy, have been used for the analysis of forages and feedstuffs, small grain crops, oilseeds and coarse grain, coffee, tea, spices, medicinal plants, aromatic plants, and related products, fruits and vegetables, sugarcane, cereal food products, baking products, beverages and brewing products, fats and oils, dairy and eggs, meats, timber and paper, animal by-products, wool, cotton and soils [33]. NIR spectroscopy has been used to evaluate the parameters for estimating the maturity of different fruit species, check the ripening status of fruits on trees or grade fruits in the packing house, assess fruit quality, such as sugar and acid contents, soluble solids, firmness of fruit, decide when to harvest and select the quality and suitable seeds in breeding programs [34]. This technique is used in forensic sciences to identify counterfeit food products.
