No Thumbnail Available

Packaging for fruits, vegetables and root crops

Year of publication 1988

Author C.C.M Schuur;Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) The main objective of this manual is to describe how post-harvest handling and marketing can be improved through better packaging. Inter-regional exports of the English speaking independent countries in the Eastern Caribbean amount to more than 60,000 tonnes of produce traded, valued at some EC$ 90 million per year. If we assume a 20 percent loss, the economical loss caused by post-harvest losses could well be over EC$ 18 million every year. Consequently, reducing these losses with only one pe rcent results in the marketability of an extra 600 tonnes of produce valued at EC$ 1 million every year in the regional markets. Total world fresh produce exports in 1986 were estimated at US$ 226,505 million. A loss of one percent equals a financial loss of US$ 227 million. Only a small part of the world production of agricultural produce is exported and according to FAO estimates post-harvest losses were in the order of 20 - 33% of all food produced. A small reduction in post-harvest losses will result in lower financial losses and in an increased availability of food.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Project
    Strengthening the Capacity of Farmers’ Associations to Increase Production and Marketing of Root Crops, Fruits and Vegetables in Federated States of Micronesia - TCP/MIC/3601 2020
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) faces a number of challenges in ensuring food security and sustainable livelihoods for a growing population. These include a stagnant economy, limited employment, increasing poverty, limited agriculture and an epidemic of nutritional disorders. The country is also highly vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters and climate change, in particular given its number of low-lying atolls. FSM is also affected by drought as a result of El Niño. Prior to the project, one of the major constraints to increasing domestic agriculture production in FSM was a lack of farm inputs or appropriate sustainable crop production and soil management technologies for farmers to increase local production of food crops, fruits and vegetables. Poor soils, pest and diseases outbreaks were also prevalent. With limited market opportunities and low competitive advantages of local agricultural products. Agricultural production in the FSM was far below the level needed to meet the domestic demand. In addition, the Department of Resources and Development had limited technical capacity to provide effective extension support services to farmers. In the context outlined above, the project aimed to strengthen the capacity of farmers’ associations in Yap and Pohnpei to increase domestic agricultural production, both for import substitution and potential export opportunities. The desired increase in agricultural production was expected to be linked with a focus on the development of marketing skills, allowing farmers to supply consistent and high-quality produce for local market and potential export markets, thereby increasing their income level. This project has contributed to the capacities of farmers to supply a consistently higher quantity and quality of root crops, fruits and vegetable to both the local market and potential export markets.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Document
    Agricultural Marketing Improvement - Handling of fresh fruits, vegetables and root crops
    A Training Manual for Grenada. Project GRN/2901
    2002
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The “Agricultural Marketing Improvement” Project TCP/GRN/2901 is being implemented by the Grenada Government and FAO with the objective of improving incomes for fruit, vegetable and root crop growers through a more efficient agricultural marketing system. The project would enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture to help farmers, extension staff and inter- island traffickers to provide appropriate agricultural marketing advice and support services on post-harvest handling. This docume nt has been prepared based on the need to improve harvesting, handling and produce distribution in the Country and to increase exports. The document gives emphasis to specific crops produced in significant quantities or with a potential for increased production and marketing.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Book (stand-alone)
    Prevention of post-harvest food losses: Fruits, vegetables and root crops. A training manual 1989
    Also available in:
    This manual, Volume II of the training manual on the prevention of post-harvest food losses, presents material from a wide variety of disciplines associated with the prevention of food losses and development of marketing operations, particularly those in fruit, vegetables and roots and tubers. It is directed to field staff, project supervisors, teachers at agricultural schools and at training institutions, and extension personnel connected with the handling and marketing of those commodities. This manual should serve as a reference work on the prevention of post-harvest food losses. For specific training purposes, the manual takes up a number of crops and techniques from which the trainer can select according to local conditions. Trainers are encouraged to supplement the material by practical work and by detailed worksheets or handouts covering special topics of local interest.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.