In the past six years in Shanxi Province there have been extensive plantings of fruit trees (particularly apples), but the postharvest system is largely undeveloped. This report describes the results of a project on postharvest systems development, intended to develop and deliver an educational training pro,am on the development of fruit quality assurance systems, and to develop a framework for fruit total quality management systems for one fruit crop in China. After visits by the two collaborating postharvest research groups in China and New Zealand it was agreed to hold a workshop in Shanxi, and the objectives were carefully defined. The New Zealand team presented a five-day workshop to 37 selected representatives of local growers and support industries. A workshop manual was prepared in English and Chinese. Before, during and after the workshop, discussions took place between the New Zealand team and the local agricultural development bureau representatives. At the conclusion of the workshop, a summary of the findings and recommendations from the workshop were completed and signed by all involved. Pre and post workshop questionnaires and other evaluation techniques were used in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the workshop. These showed that we had brought about a clear change in attitude of delegates towards recognising the value of postharvest factors, and as a result it was decided to proceed immediately with the formation of a growers' association to focus on developing a quality management system for apples. Establishment of a marketing effort was identified as a key task of the association. There was a need for research, testing, and advisory systems to be established to enable growers to make continuous improvements to their pre and postharvest systems. A major improvement in infrastructure and in facilities for postharvest systems and quality management of apples should be achieved.
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