postharvest

• Post-harvest technology


  Processes developed to handle, store and market produce after it has been harvested
• Understanding the way in which crops ripen, the changes that take place after harvest, and correct storage conditions can prevent wastage and increase profits for the farmer
• Poor handling of crops after harvest causes a loss of produce that has taken time, labour and materials to cultivate
• There is less wastage if produce is grown and consumed locally, as there is less time for deterioration
• Post-harvest technology needs to be applied if fresh produce is grown at a distance from where it is consumed
• When to take special care


  • Harvesting
  • Cleaning, grading and packaging
  • Storage before being taken to market
  • Transportation
• Appropriate packaging


  Necessary for long-term storage of cereals and other produce to prevent damage by pests
• Maturity


  Related to age of the crop and may be associated with changes in colour, drying up of stems and leaves, and characteristics linked with marketability, processing and use
• Factors determining timing of harvesting


  • Age of the crop
  • Type of crop
  • Time between harvestings
  • Weather conditions
• Bodi beans harvested at

  Snap stage
• Harvesting methods


  • Manual
  • Mechanical
• Manual harvesting methods


  • Used for crops grown in small plots, using multiple cropping or intercropping systems and where fields are not accessible to machinery
• Manual harvesting methods


  • Nipping-off
  • Uprooting and trimming
  • Digging out
  • Cutting off
  • Cutting stalks
  • Hand picking
  • Picking with a goulet
  • Using a fruit-picker
• Crops that can be harvested mechanically include rice, corn and sugar cane
• Manual harvesting methods are necessary in multiple cropping and intercropping systems where fields are not accessible to machinery
• Mechanical harvesting


  Saves time and manual labour, but the cost of machinery is a drawback
• There are problems associated with using heavy machinery in poor weather conditions or where the terrain is hilly
• Anthurium flowers


  Harvested when the spathe is fully opened, the flower stalk is firm up to the bloom and the spadix is firm and rough with prominent seed buds
• Cut flowers should be kept cool to ensure they reach the market in prime condition
• Post-harvest technology


  Processes used when handling, storing and marketing produce after it has been harvested
• Packaging


  Needed to prevent the produce from becoming damaged or bruised, and to keep it in good condition for as long as possible
• Factors affecting timing of harvesting


  • Age of the crop
  • Type of crop
  • Maturity of the new produce
  • Weather conditions
• Bodi beans should be harvested at the snap stage
• Crops harvested mechanically


  • Sugar cane
  • Rice
  • Cereals
• Characteristics of small-scale/intercropping systems


  • Areas planted with each crop are small
  • Crops will be in isolated rows
  • Such systems are often used on hilly terrain unsuitable for mechanical harvesters
• Keeping produce cool


  Slows down respiration and prevents loss of too much water by evaporation
• When to harvest produce


  • Early morning or late evening, or when there is cloud cover
  • To prevent heating of the produce and avoid wilting and loss of water by evaporation
• • Produce should be handled carefully while being harvested
  • Packed into crates, boxes or baskets for removal from the field
  • Securely packed during transport to market