Innovative Small-scale Postharvest Technologies for reducing losses in Horticultural Crops

Abstract

A comprehensive research project reassessed 12 past international horticultural projects, characterized current causes of postharvest losses of 18 horticultural crops in four countries, then field tested a variety of low cost postharvest technology innovations that could potentially reduce these  postharvest losses, improve market value and improve incomes for small farmers. This presentation briefly outlines the postharvest technologies found to be most successful, the technologies were not adopted or not maintained after the end of past projects, the most common knowledge gaps found for 30 commodity systems. The results of a series of field trials and cost/benefit analyses of potential postharvest technology innovations led to identification of many small-scale innovations that can reduce postharvest losses, add value and improve returns by at least 30%. The concluding consensus recommendation is to avoid building expensive,  complex postharvest infrastructure that is difficult for smallholders to utilize and manage, and instead to promote integrated postharvest management systems focusing on incremental adoption of small scale postharvest innovations.