Postharvest practices

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.

success story fact sheet: Inventing a low-cost solution to reduce moldy foods

Success story: Inventing a low-cost solution to reduce moldy foods

Fact sheet, Program materials

UC Davis ‘DryCard’ invention wins competition to reduce food loss in Africa

A new invention from UC Davis researchers won a competition as the top emerging technology to reduce food loss and waste across the African continent.

dried tomatoes photo by Brenda Dawson UC Davis

Inventing a low-cost solution to reduce moldy foods

UC Davis researchers invented a low-cost, easy-to-use tool that farmers can use to measure food dryness to improve food safety and quality, called the DryCard.

Video: Introducing the DryCard

Video

Egghead blog: 10-cent DryCard to help farmers keep harvest safe from mold

News publication

Fresh-cut vegetables packed in a convenience bag by a private firm in Kenya.

Event: First All-Africa Postharvest Congress

“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.