FAO consolidates and disseminates information on post-harvest technologies to farmers, traders, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in the agricultural value-chain. This is done through a variety of technical publications, but the flagship resource for post-harvest operations is the Information Network on Post-Harvest Operations (INPhO).

INPhO is a web based information network developed by FAO in collaboration with GTZ and CIRAD to better address the information needs of developing countries on post-harvest issues and to exchange information and experiences on post-harvest operations. INPhO includes:

Virtual library

The library contains more than 200 full-text documents on a broad range of post-harvest operations. It is continually being updated with new documents from both FAO and collaborating organizations to ensure up-to-date and relevant information.

Post-harvest compendium

The compendium contains detailed information on over 30 commodities, including grains, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruits and vegetables.

Decision Support Tools

To assist entrepreneurs in establishing agro-enterprises, a range of decision support tools has been developed with the intention of contributing to improved preparation and evaluation of agribusiness projects, leading to more sustainable agro-industrial enterprises and enhanced incomes in agribusiness, particularly in developing countries. Agriventure is a software tool that guides users through the entire process of data entry and financial analyses required in the formulation of an agro-industrial investment project. A database of Technical Coefficients from selected projects has been prepared for raw materials, utilities and other resources necessary for the operation of a food processing company. This will assist users of Agriventure to estimate coefficients in the preparation of data for their own projects.

Food processing toolkits

Four toolkits have been developed covering processing of cereals; fruits and vegetables; oilseeds and roots and tubers. The toolkits are designed for entrepreneurs and development professionals to assist with the preparation of projects on post-harvest processing, and the establishment or improvement of food processing businesses. Each toolkit is a practical package that can be used by small and medium scale food processors to establish or improve a food processing enterprise, primarily in developing countries.

Global "cookbook"

The "cookbook" is a collection of over 800 traditional and modern recipes from around the world.

INPhO can be accessed at http://www.fao.org/inpho;

it is also available on CD-ROM and can be requested by writing to: inpho@fao.org