Appropriate postharvest technologies for small scale horticultural farmers and marketers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia - Part 2. Field trial results and identification of research needs for selected crops.

摘要

Part 2 of 2. Based upon findings on the causes of postharvest losses and quality problems for key horticultural crops in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia, 32 potential postharvest technical solutions were identified and investigated further. An additional 28 options related to production, extension and marketing activities were identified but not tested during this project. The objective was to identify postharvest technology interventions that would specifically address the identified priority problems and serve to reduce food and value losses, and that are of appropriate scale, cost effective, easy to use on a trial basis and capable of generating increased incomes by at least 30% for small farmers. Field trials were conducted on 19 of these intervention options, and cost/benefit analyses were conducted on 21 cases of improved handling, packing, storage and processing practices in India, Nepal, Ghana, Rwanda, Cape Verde and Benin. In 81% (17) of cases, the postharvest technologies were determined to be cost effective and of appropriate scale for successful adoption and management by small scale horticultural producers and marketers in Africa and South Asia. Field assessments and preliminary field trials led to the identification of additional research needs for selected crops, and recommendations are provided for future studies in small scale postharvest technology.CT XXVIII International Horticultural Congress on Science and Horticulture for People (IHC2010): International Symposium on Postharvest Technology in the Global Market, Lisbon, Portugal.