ANNEX III - OVERVIEW OF HARVEST AND POSTHARVEST RESEARCH IN THE CGIAR

CIAT
CIMMYT
CIP
ICARDA
ICLARM
ICRISAT
IFPRI
IITA
ILRI
IRRI
ISNAR
WARDA

The influences described under "The Changing Perspective of Productivity" (section 1.2) may already be affecting the attention given by the CGIAR centres to harvest and postharvest issues. Even so, such activities still represent only about 2% of the System's overall budget and an important part of this Strategic Study has been to analyze current activities in relation to changing needs. The information for such analysis, made available by the Centres, is summarised below.

Twelve of the sixteen CGIAR Centres are directly engaged in postharvest research. Those that report current postharvest technology research are CIAT, CIMMYT, CIP, ICARDA, ICLARM, ICRISAT, IFPRI, IITA, ILRI, IRRI, ISNAR and WARDA. CIFOR is planning to initiate research on non-timber forest products, but it is not clear as to what element of processing, if any, this work will involve. On aggregate the eleven centres propose to spend a total of about US$ 6.33 million on postharvest research in 1996, representing approximately a 2% of the total CGIAR budget. Within this amount, one fourth of the Centres actively involved in harvest and postharvest research account for two thirds of the total CGIAR investment:

CIAT:

17.5%

CIMMYT:

4.0%

CIP:

26.6%

ICARDA:

2.4%

ICLARM:

1.3%

ICRISAT:

4.8%

IFPRI:

4.4%

IITA:

19.6%

ILRI:

5.6%

IRRI:

7.6%

ISNAR:

4.5%

WARDA:

1.5%

In the following brief descriptions of each Centre's research, activities are classified into the four clusters characterized in the Report: Product Quality (PQ), Harvest and Storage (H&S), Utilization and Marketing (U&M), and Policies and Institutions (P&I).

CIAT

CIAT's postharvest technology research programme focuses primarily on cassava, but food quality research is also undertaken for beans and rice, and feed quality research for tropical forages.

PQ

Bean quality research relates to effects of the "hard to cook" phenomenon, effects of protein fractions on digestibility, and bioavailability of iron and zinc. For cassava root quality research includes (i) postharvest physiological deterioration, (ii) physicochemical properties of starches and flours, (iii) cyanogenesis in root protection and starch quality, iv) fermentation (biodiversity of the bacteria), and v) vitamin A. Research on forage quality includes in-vitro evaluation of the nutritive value, the nature of anti-quality factors, animal feeding, and the effect of mineral attributes. Rice quality research focuses on amylose content, gelatinization temperature, gel content, white belly, and translucence of the grain.

H&S

In beans an important research area focuses on the postharvest seed management practices, including work on the incorporation of the arcelin gene for resistance to bruchids. Cassava storage research has included management of dried cassava chips for storage pests. Also, the fresh cassava "plastic bag" technology that slows the rate of physiological deterioration has been an important area of research.

U&M

In cassava activities include: (i) user needs assessment, priority-setting, market research, product-feasibility studies, and adoption and impact studies, ii) starch-based product development (in collaboration with the private sector), iii) Support to national institutions for the integration of research on marketing and consumption, processing and quality, so as to identify opportunities to develop cost-competitive, consumer-acceptable products; (iv) Research and development of appropriate cassava flour and starch processing technology (in collaboration with advanced and national institutes), and v) technologies for processing waste water treatment. The programme has ongoing collaboration with CIRAD and the NRI on many of the projects.

P&I

The Cassava Programme has developed methodologies for the Integrated Cassava Research and Development projects, bringing together national and international research organizations, NGOs, and farmer groups in organizing farmer-based small agro-industries linking producers to consumers. The Bean and Forages Programmes have also collaborated with national organizations in the association of farmers to create seed production enterprises.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 1,110,000 - 3.45 SSY; of which 0.15 are allocated to beans, 2.6 to cassava, 0.6 to tropical forages, and 0.1 to rice.

CIMMYT

CIMMYT's postharvest research focuses mainly on wheat, But they also carry out some activities in maize.

PQ

The wheat Programme operates an Industrial Quality Lab that tests breeding material for its suitability for processing into the various wheat products (bread, cookies, noodles).

H&S

The maize programme does a small amount of work on resistance to storage insects.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 255,000, 85 % of them on wheat.

CIP

CIP's postharvest activities include breeding for processing/storage, marketing studies, and consumption for potato, sweet potato and Andean roots and tubers. However, postharvest-type research on potato is being significantly reduced, while emphasis is shifted towards sweet potato and Andean roots and tubers.

PQ

Potato research in this area focuses on breeding for processing characteristics in tropical environments; while for sweetpotato major priorities concern i) breeding for processing (for food, feed and industrial use) and product quality evaluation, and iii) marketing methodologies and training.

H&S

For potatoes the priority is developing technologies for rustic storage of ware potatoes.

U&M

In the case of potatoes activities focus on marketing methodologies and for sweetpotato on processing and marketing for small-scale operations in geographically isolated, poorer areas. Finally, postharvest research for andean food commodities (re: minor roots and tubers, minor grains) concentrate on i) baseline information about geographical distribution, production and its value, and economic importance of post-harvest pest and disease damages, and ii) market research, processing and product development, which appear as key areas to realize the full potential of these crops.

P&I

Training on potato marketing methodologies.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 1,686,000 - 6 SSY

ICARDA

In previous work under the Nile Valley Regional Programme ICARDA earned out work on household storage methods and legume's food quality. Now their research focuses on:

PQ

Food quality of cereals and legumes, as well as feed quality of feeds and straws.

H&S

Machinery, and the role of women.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 150,000 - 0.8 SSY

ICLARM

ICLARM has a small component of its work concerned with postharvest research.

U&M

For the genetically improved tilapia farm tilapia (GIFT) strain it has examined presentation vis-a-vis market acceptability, in comparison with Nile tilapia. In the case of giant clams, ICLARM is concentrating on markets for six-months to two-year clams, to assist an early cash flow to farmers. For small-scale integrated aquaculture in Asia and Africa, data are collected on the use of the fish produced, i.e., for household consumption, for local bartering, or for market sale.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 80,000

ICRISAT

The objectives of current postharvest research carried out under the above-mentioned complementary projects are: i) increase area of pigeonpea under cultivation; ii) change dietary habits to improve nutrition and enable import substitution; iii) create employment opportunities for women; and iv) increase the income of farmers and agroindustrial entrepreneurs through value added processing. At the moment research activities concentrate on a pigeonpea project in Sri Lanka, funded by the ADB.

PQ

Germplasm enhancement for its use as a vegetable.

U&M

Dehullers for small-scale millers, to produce dal; and linking production to agro-processing and utilization.

P&I

Training of national organizations staff, women farmers and users in crop processing and consumption.

Due to funding constraints ICRISAT had to exclude certain postharvest activities from its present core research agenda. However, funding requirements for 1997 incorporates postharvest activities in addition to complementary projects, including aflatoxin management in groundnut, sorghum product quality, and sorghum storage pests.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 307,000 (64% in E&S-Africa, 36% in Sri Lanka)

IFPRI

As part of its research on market reforms and agricultural diversification, IFPRI includes that on adoption and economics of postharvest technologies as critical links in the marketing chain between farmers' production decisions and final consumers.

P&I

Research focuses on the promotion of postharvest technologies through appropriate policies - a critical area for the growth of non-farm income and employment in rural areas. Current research in six African countries is tracing the effect of market reform on the development of marketing systems, including postharvest technologies. Research on rice marketing system in Vietnam is highlighting the critical role of drying and processing technologies as main determinants of quality improvement.

IFPRI is considering the formulation of a special multi-country research project in its forthcoming medium term plan.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 280,000

IITA

IITA's postharvest research has been expanded through the introduction of the project on Improving Postharvest Systems which is aimed at: generating competitive technologies for farmers, processors and consumers; and strengthening the capacity of national organizations to develop, evaluate and disseminate improved technologies. Specific objectives of the research activities are: i) characterize crop and food systems to identify opportunities for improvement, expansion and diversification; ii) develop quality-based genotypes suitable for specific end-uses of crops; iii) develop traditional crop processing and new products to expand crop utilization; iv) enhance crop harvesting and processing efficiency through the development, transfer and adaptation of innovative technologies; v) improve the overall quality of food products; vi) increasing the awareness and application of postharvest research results.

PQ

Develop food quality screening methods for crop improvement.

H&S

Develop improved harvesting and handling technologies; and improve traditional storage systems and postharvest pest management.

U&M

Improve the nutritional quality and safety of traditional foods; assess socioeconomic aspects of postharvest systems; and develop household and small-scale processing technologies.

P&I

Disseminate postharvest technologies; and training and extension.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 1,240,000 - 5.69 SSY

ILRI

For a number of years ILRI has carried out research on milk processing to increase the shelf life of dairy products for producers who live a long way from markets or in areas of local surplus, for which manuals have been written. In the search for impact with such technologies emphasis is moving to

P&I

Training on milk processing technologies; and post-harvest research on policy factors that affect the competitiveness of dairy production and marketing.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 357,000

IRRI

IRRI has one core project on postharvest technology which is implemented within the Irrigated Rice Ecosystems research programme. The project aims to develop efficient and cost-effective processing systems and components to reduce grain losses (physical loss, diminution, damage, deterioration) during all stages from harvest to storage of milled and unmilled rice and to recover the maximum amount of high quality food or seed grain.

PQ

The development of improved germplasm with superior milling and cooking qualities is one of the important breeding objectives of IRRI. Major emphasis is on developing improved germplasm possessing high total and head rice yields, translucent and medium long to long slender grains, intermediate amylose and gelatinization temperature and soft gel consistency. Some efforts are also focused on developing Basmati type rices possessing aroma and grain elongation ability.

H&S

The development of a small combine stripper harvester in collaboration with national organizations in Thailand and Vietnam; the evaluation of the IRRI developed stripper-gatherer and stripper-thresher systems in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam;

U&M

The study of milling high-moisture paddy to accelerate drying and to reduce drying costs; and improvement of the rice micromill to increase head rice recovery in collaboration with national organizations in Thailand and Philippines. The micromill addresses mainly the needs of women in remote villages to mill their paddy for consumption on location, saving transport costs, time and efforts, while providing the opportunity to increase incomes.

P&I

The characterization and improvement of rice milling systems in cooperatives and enterprises in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam;

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 484,000 - 0.70 SSY;

ISNAR

In Benin ISNAR is helping the national system to incorporate postharvest activities in their agricultural research programme. As part of their activities in Latin America, ISNAR will carry out a project to understand the effect of new agro-industrial demands on research policies, and to develop methods for guiding research to meet such demands.

P&I

Reassess the size and structure of national organizations to take into account agro-industrial demand for research; improve research planning procedures for agro-industrial demands; and review consequences for legislation on intellectual property rights.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 285,000 - 0.85 SSY

WARDA

Since 1990 WARDA's postharvest research has focused mainly on analyzing the physical and chemical grain quality characteristics of candidate varietal selections to ensure their acceptability to consumers. In 1995 WARDA began a major collaborative study with CIAT and IRRI to

PQ

Understand the interaction between variety and environment in determining the chemical composition of grain, particularly with respect to the expression of aroma traits.

U&M

In 1996 WARDA will also initiate research to characterize rice markets in its mandate area, to understand the role of particular grain quality traits and postharvest operations in determining market prices.

P&I

To examine the appropriate role for government policy in the recently liberalized rice markets in the region, and to identify the implications for rice breeding research. A secondary activity will be to design policy options to enhance efficiency in the rapidly expanding small scale rice processing sector.

Total Centre Investment (1996): US$ 96,000

CIAT:	17.5%
CIMMYT:	4.0%
CIP:	26.6%
ICARDA:	2.4%
ICLARM:	1.3%
ICRISAT:	4.8%
IFPRI:	4.4%
IITA:	19.6%
ILRI:	5.6%
IRRI:	7.6%
ISNAR:	4.5%
WARDA:	1.5%

PQ	Bean quality research relates to effects of the "hard to cook" phenomenon, effects of protein fractions on digestibility, and bioavailability of iron and zinc. For cassava root quality research includes (i) postharvest physiological deterioration, (ii) physicochemical properties of starches and flours, (iii) cyanogenesis in root protection and starch quality, iv) fermentation (biodiversity of the bacteria), and v) vitamin A. Research on forage quality includes in-vitro evaluation of the nutritive value, the nature of anti-quality factors, animal feeding, and the effect of mineral attributes. Rice quality research focuses on amylose content, gelatinization temperature, gel content, white belly, and translucence of the grain.
H&S	In beans an important research area focuses on the postharvest seed management practices, including work on the incorporation of the arcelin gene for resistance to bruchids. Cassava storage research has included management of dried cassava chips for storage pests. Also, the fresh cassava "plastic bag" technology that slows the rate of physiological deterioration has been an important area of research.
U&M	In cassava activities include: (i) user needs assessment, priority-setting, market research, product-feasibility studies, and adoption and impact studies, ii) starch-based product development (in collaboration with the private sector), iii) Support to national institutions for the integration of research on marketing and consumption, processing and quality, so as to identify opportunities to develop cost-competitive, consumer-acceptable products; (iv) Research and development of appropriate cassava flour and starch processing technology (in collaboration with advanced and national institutes), and v) technologies for processing waste water treatment. The programme has ongoing collaboration with CIRAD and the NRI on many of the projects.
P&I	The Cassava Programme has developed methodologies for the Integrated Cassava Research and Development projects, bringing together national and international research organizations, NGOs, and farmer groups in organizing farmer-based small agro-industries linking producers to consumers. The Bean and Forages Programmes have also collaborated with national organizations in the association of farmers to create seed production enterprises.

PQ	The wheat Programme operates an Industrial Quality Lab that tests breeding material for its suitability for processing into the various wheat products (bread, cookies, noodles).
H&S	The maize programme does a small amount of work on resistance to storage insects.

PQ	Potato research in this area focuses on breeding for processing characteristics in tropical environments; while for sweetpotato major priorities concern i) breeding for processing (for food, feed and industrial use) and product quality evaluation, and iii) marketing methodologies and training.
H&S	For potatoes the priority is developing technologies for rustic storage of ware potatoes.
U&M	In the case of potatoes activities focus on marketing methodologies and for sweetpotato on processing and marketing for small-scale operations in geographically isolated, poorer areas. Finally, postharvest research for andean food commodities (re: minor roots and tubers, minor grains) concentrate on i) baseline information about geographical distribution, production and its value, and economic importance of post-harvest pest and disease damages, and ii) market research, processing and product development, which appear as key areas to realize the full potential of these crops.
P&I	Training on potato marketing methodologies.

PQ	Food quality of cereals and legumes, as well as feed quality of feeds and straws.
H&S	Machinery, and the role of women.

PQ	Germplasm enhancement for its use as a vegetable.
U&M	Dehullers for small-scale millers, to produce dal; and linking production to agro-processing and utilization.
P&I	Training of national organizations staff, women farmers and users in crop processing and consumption.

PQ	Develop food quality screening methods for crop improvement.
H&S	Develop improved harvesting and handling technologies; and improve traditional storage systems and postharvest pest management.
U&M	Improve the nutritional quality and safety of traditional foods; assess socioeconomic aspects of postharvest systems; and develop household and small-scale processing technologies.
P&I	Disseminate postharvest technologies; and training and extension.

PQ	The development of improved germplasm with superior milling and cooking qualities is one of the important breeding objectives of IRRI. Major emphasis is on developing improved germplasm possessing high total and head rice yields, translucent and medium long to long slender grains, intermediate amylose and gelatinization temperature and soft gel consistency. Some efforts are also focused on developing Basmati type rices possessing aroma and grain elongation ability.
H&S	The development of a small combine stripper harvester in collaboration with national organizations in Thailand and Vietnam; the evaluation of the IRRI developed stripper-gatherer and stripper-thresher systems in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam;
U&M	The study of milling high-moisture paddy to accelerate drying and to reduce drying costs; and improvement of the rice micromill to increase head rice recovery in collaboration with national organizations in Thailand and Philippines. The micromill addresses mainly the needs of women in remote villages to mill their paddy for consumption on location, saving transport costs, time and efforts, while providing the opportunity to increase incomes.
P&I	The characterization and improvement of rice milling systems in cooperatives and enterprises in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam;

PQ	Understand the interaction between variety and environment in determining the chemical composition of grain, particularly with respect to the expression of aroma traits.
U&M	In 1996 WARDA will also initiate research to characterize rice markets in its mandate area, to understand the role of particular grain quality traits and postharvest operations in determining market prices.
P&I	To examine the appropriate role for government policy in the recently liberalized rice markets in the region, and to identify the implications for rice breeding research. A secondary activity will be to design policy options to enhance efficiency in the rapidly expanding small scale rice processing sector.