Training and capacity building Publications
Oilseeds | Post-harvest operations
20/04/2014
Oilseeds such as mustard, Niger seed, rape, sesame, soybean or sunflower offer a range of opportunities for small farmers, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Oilseed crushing can range from a large industrial scale to manual processing on farm as a small scale agro-enterprise. Home utilization of the edible oils is of great nutritional value and the protein rich by-product “cake” is fed to livestock.
Papaya: Post-Harvest Operations
04/03/2014
Papaya (Pawpaw) is an early-bearing, space-conserving, herbaceous crop requiring a tropical climate. It is fast growing and has a single straight or sometimes branched stem reaching 2-10 m height. With the development of better cultivation techniques, new varieties, improved crop handling and post-harvest technologies, papaya is gaining importance in the world tropical fruit market.
Appropriate food packaging solutions for developing countries - New edition
03/03/2014
The study was undertaken to serve as a basis for the international congress Save Food! taking place from 16 to 17 May 2011, at the international packaging industry fair Interpack2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. It brings to the attention of the international packaging industry the constraints faced by the small- and medium-scale food processing industries in developing countries to obtain access to adequate packaging materials which are economically feasible.
Promoting climate smart approaches to post-harvest challenges in Rwanda
01/01/2014
This paper draws lessons from a review of the current status of post-harvest structures in Rwanda and suggests basic design guidelines for greater adaptation to emerging environmental and climate change challenges. This approach is consistent with the strategies Rwanda has adopted to achieve its Vision 2020, the Millennium Development Goals.
Reduction of food losses and waste in Europe and Central Asia for improved food secutiry and sgrifood chain efficiency
01/01/2014
This study represents one of a number of UN/FAO-supported research initiatives on the subject of food losses and waste. It builds on the ground breaking research and conclusions of the Global Food Losses Study commissioned in 2011 from the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology, updating its data and consolidating its analysis.
Policy measures for micro, small and medium food processing enterprises in the Asian region
01/01/2014
The importance of micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in contributing to food security and nutrition and to the well-being of Asian economies cannot be overstated. Formal and informal SMEs together account for 60 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and for more than 90 percent of employment.
Appropriate Seed and Grain Storage Systems for Small-scale Farmers
01/01/2014
The southern Africa region is vulnerable to a diverse array of hazards, largely linked to environmental causes (such as drought, cyclones and floods); human, animal and plant diseases and pests; economic shocks; and in some areas socio-political unrest and insecurity, among others.
Toolkit. Reducing the Food Wastage Footprint
01/01/2013
The aim of the Toolkit is to showcase concrete examples of good practices for food loss and waste reduction, while pointing to information sources, guidelines and pledges favoring food wastage reduction. The inspirational examples featured throughout this Tool kit demonstrate that everyone, from individual households and producers, through governments, to large food industries, can make choices that will ultimately lead to FLW reduction.
Good practice in the design, management and operation of a fresh produce packing-house
01/04/2012
Well designed packing house facilities that conform to the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and which are equipped with an appropriate level and scale of post-harvest technology are critical and important in fresh produce supply chains.
P4P Training Manual for Improving Grain Postharvest Handling and Storage
01/01/2012
The materials in this manual serve as a basic tool for different levels of PHHS trainers working in different contexts and with different end users, with the objective of improving the quality of grain being offered for sale to WFP and other buyers. The manual includes detailed reference materials and...
The role of producer organizations in reducing food loss and waste
01/01/2012
The losses incurred in developing countries are largely due to infrastructural constraints related to poor transport, storage, processing and packaging facilities, in addition to capacity gaps that result in inefficient production, harvesting, processing and transport of food.
Packaging in fresh produce supply chains in Southeast Asia.
01/09/2011
Packaging is very often critical to the success or failure of horticultural supply chains. In recent times, considerable emphasis has been placed on packaging in fresh produce supply chains in order to respond to changing consumer habits, market demand, trade requirements and the drive to reduce losses.
Continental Programme on Post-harvest Losses (PHL) Reduction Rapid Needs Assessment – Working Document - Ghana
01/01/2011
This note describes the outcomes of a rapid assessment of the post-harvest situation in Ghana for selected commodities (cassava, yams, maize, rice, sorghum, fruits [mangos and pineapples], vegetables [tomatoes], animal products and fish) including key constraints, risks and opportunities, and suggests possible priority interventions and next steps/actions to be taken...
Continental Programme on Post-Harvest Losses (PHL) Reduction Rapid Needs Assessment – Working Document - Malawi
01/01/2011
The post-harvest chain involves a series of interconnected activities from the time of crop harvest, live animal sales at farm gate, milk at immediate post-milking stage, or fish capture to the delivery of the food to the consumer. The nature of the activities varies considerably according to the type of...
Continental Programme on Post-Harvest Losses (PHL) Reduction Rapid Country Needs Assessment - Mozambique
01/01/2011
This note describes the post-harvest situation in Mozambique for selected commodities. It identifies key constraints, risks and opportunities, and suggests possible priority interventions and actions to be taken that may lead to specific projects to be proposed to AfDB and other donors for financing. The annexes provide additional information on...
Post-harvest fish loss assessment in small-scale fisheries A guide for the extension officer
01/01/2011
The field activities within the regional post-harvest loss assessment programme in small-scale fisheries in Africa (an FAO regular programme conducted from 2006 to 2008) tested and validated three key fish loss assessment methodologies that have been developed over the past two decades.
Processing of fresh-cut tropical fruits and vegetables: A technical guide
01/01/2011
This technical guide reviews, from a theoretical and practical perspective, the critical issues that must be addressed for fresh-cut produce to meet consumer demand for convenience, quality and safety. A case study on fresh-cut processing in Thailand is included.
Management of reusable plastic crates in fresh produce supply chains
31/07/2009
This guide is targeted primarily for use by returnable plastic crate service providers and stakeholders in fresh produce handling chains: producers, packing house operators, and transport and storage operators. Individuals who are involved with capacity building activities in horticultural chains as well as policy makers should also find it a useful reference.
Horticultural Chain Management for Countries of Asia and the Pacific Region
31/01/2009
This training package guides the trainer in preparing the needed resources appropriate to the context in which the training will be delivered. In order to derive maximum benefit from the training package, the trainer must study the theoretical and practical manuals, selecting the practical examples that are best suited to the training context (country, crops cultivated, target audience and so on).
Good practice for the small-scale production of bottled coconut water
31/12/2007
This guide is designed for use as a learning resource for small and micro entrepreneurs who bottle coconut water, as well as a training resource for extension workers and trainers. It documents good practice for the application of a “middle level” of technology for the cold preservation of coconut water. The information is presented in a very simple and easy-to-follow format.