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Field Guide of Discovery-based Exercises for - Aseanipm ...

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Section 7 • Participatory Plant Breeding, Seed Production, Harvest, and Post-Harvest Management<br />

HARVEST AND POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES<br />

As pointed out earlier, losses during and after harvest are distributed throughout the entire<br />

marketing chain, from farmer to consumer. These are attributed to three general technical<br />

causes, namely: (a) poor quality at harvest; (b) careless harvesting and handling; and (c)<br />

improper processing methods 249 .<br />

• Poor quality at harvest. No amount <strong>of</strong> treatment can convert produce that is poor in quality<br />

at harvest into one <strong>of</strong> good quality. Quality could, at best, be only maintained. Poor quality<br />

produce may be due to: (a) wrong variety [or hybrid] <strong>for</strong> intended purpose; (b) improper<br />

production methods and conditions; and (c) harvesting either immature or over-mature produce.<br />

• Careless harvesting and handling. This includes: (a) carelessness during harvesting and<br />

physical handling; (b) failure to consider control <strong>of</strong> environmental factors that affect shelf life<br />

<strong>of</strong> produce; and (c) delay in primary processing.<br />

• Improper processing method. Harvested produce has to be processed properly so that good<br />

quality at harvest can be maintained. This includes proper methods and conditions in post<br />

harvest handling and processing.<br />

Thus, this sub-section deals on exercises adapted from best practices and learning experiences<br />

by FFS facilitators and farmer-practitioners, as well as by technical experts on harvest and postharvest<br />

management topics relevant to organic vegetable production. Among others, these include<br />

exercises on determining right maturity in harvesting organic vegetable crops, harvest and postharvest<br />

handling and primary processing <strong>of</strong> organic vegetables, and maintaining quality <strong>of</strong> organic<br />

vegetables <strong>for</strong> marketing.<br />

249 Bautista, O.K. (ed). 1994. Introduction to Tropical Agriculture. 2 nd Edition. SEAMEO Regional Center <strong>for</strong> Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture<br />

(SEARCA) and University <strong>of</strong> the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines. pp 424-435.<br />

373

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