The basic recommendations for maintaining post-harvest quality and safety of produce are the same regardless of the distribution system (direct marketing, local marketing, export marketing). However, the level of technology needed to provide the recommended conditions varies in accordance with the distance and time between production and consumption sites, the intended use of the produce (fresh vs. processing) and the target market. In situations where the point of sale is only a matter of hours away from the site of harvest, careful harvesting and handling and the observance of proper sanitation practices are adequate measures for assuring the quality and safety of fruits and vegetables targeted for the fresh market. Pre-cooling, refrigeration and packaging however become essential when fresh produce must be moved over long distances. The following should be considered when selecting appropriate post-harvest technologies:
A. The technology used elsewhere is not necessarily the best for use under conditions of a given developing country. Many of the recent developments in post-harvest technology in developed countries have come about in response to the need to economize on labor, materials, and energy use, and to protect the environment. Currently used practices in other countries should be studied, but only those which are appropriate for local conditions should be adopted and used.
B. Expensive equipment and facilities are useless without proper management. Furthermore, over-investment in handling facilities can result in economic losses, if consumers in the target market are unable to absorb these added costs. Proper education of all stakeholders along the post-harvest chain (growers, harvesters, handlers and those involved in marketing) is more critical than the level of sophistication of the equipment used in post-harvest handling. Effective training and supervision of personnel must, therefore, be an integral part of quality and safety-assurance programs.
C. Commodity requirements can be met through the use of simple and inexpensive methods in many cases. Proper temperature management procedures, for example, include: (1) Protection from exposure to the sun; (2) Harvesting during cooler periods of the day or even at night; (3) Adequate ventilation in containers and non-refrigerated transport vehicles; (4) Use of simple and inexpensive cooling procedures, such as evaporative cooling or night ambient air; and (5) Expedited handling of fresh produce.
D. Mechanical injuries are major causes of losses in the quality and quantity of fresh horticultural commodities in all handling systems. The incidence and severity of mechanical injury can be greatly minimized by reducing the number of steps involved in harvesting and handling and by educating all personnel involved, about the need for careful handling.
E. Assuring food safety throughout the post-harvest handling system is very critical to successful marketing of produce and should be given the highest priority.
F. Solving the post-harvest technology problems in a given country necessitates cooperation and effective communication among research and extension personnel. Post-harvest horticulturists therefore need to coordinate their efforts and to cooperate with production horticulturists, agricultural marketing economists, engineers, food technologists, microbiologists, and others who may be involved in various aspects of the marketing systems. In most cases, solutions to existing problems in the post-harvest handling system require the use of existing information rather than new research. The following is a proposed program for improving the post-harvest handling system in a developing country:
(1) Survey the magnitude and causes of losses in quality and quantity during harvesting and post-harvest handling of major commodities.
(2) Survey available tools and facilities for harvesting, packing and packaging, transport, storage, and marketing of each commodity in the region of production and during the season of production. (3) Evaluate the impact of simple modifications in the handling system (such as stage of harvesting, method of harvest, type of container, and quality sorting) on quality and safety maintenance.
(4) Extend information on recommended harvesting and handling procedures to all those who can use it. All appropriate extension methods for the intended audiences should be used.
(5) Identify problems which require further research, conduct the needed research and extend any new information when completed to those who can use it.
Figure 20: Communicating the message in an appropriate format for the intended audience
