Postharvest practices

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After harvest, fruits and vegetables need to be handled with care to maintain freshness, nutrient content, taste and quality. Fruits and vegetables are highly perishable, and so poor after harvest handling can result in losses. The field of postharvest practices addresses issues of handling, transportation and temperature control for crops after harvest. Good postharvest handlng is critical to reducing postharvest losses of fresh produce, to maintain quality, preserve nutrient content, and earn higher prices at market.

Horticulture Innovation Lab researchers test the efficacy of postharvest technologies and build capacity among local leaders in postharvest practices. Below are fact sheets, videos, manuals, and other training materials for improving postharvest practices with horticultural crops.

Event: First All-Africa Postharvest Congress

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“Reducing food losses and waste: Sustainable solutions for Africa” is the theme of the first All Africa Post Harvest Congress and Exhibition. The conference will be March 28-31 in Nairobi, Kenya. The event will address aspects of postharvest management related to perishable crops, perishable animal products, non-perishable food commodities, capacity development, and related social issues that affect postharvest management.

New funding for market-driven research on apricots, tomatoes

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How to improve market opportunities for farmers growing tomatoes in West Africa and apricots in Central Asia are the main objectives of two new research grant opportunities from the Horticulture Innovation Lab. September 12 is the deadline for research proposals for these two projects, each with funding up to $300,000 over two years. U.S.-based researchers are invited to apply in partnership with international scientists and organizations.

Following vegetables from field to market in Cambodia

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While in Cambodia, I visited a project working with women vegetable farmers who have been successfully practicing conservation agriculture. As a postharvest specialist, I have been advising the team remotely about postharvest handling and low-cost technologies.