1990 Supplement Publications of the International ... - IRRI books

Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific
Region
Improved Vegetable Production in Asia
1987.207 pp. 19 x 26 cm. Paperback. ISSN 0253-9616. Price (incl.
airmail postage) US $10.00.
This book, the Proceedings of an international seminar of the same
name which was held in Thailand, is concerned with recent improvements
in vegetable production technology. Vegetable production is
one of the most promising ways in which small-scale farmers can
earn higher incomes, while at the same time improving the diet of their
countrymen. The recent surplus of staple food crops in many Asian
countries makes it all the more important to help farmers produce a
more diverse range of higher value crops. Most small-scale farmers
in Asia live in the tropics and subtropics. If they are to improve their
vegetable production, they need to be able to choose from a large
number of hardy varieties which are heat and disease resistant. They
also need to know about production methods suitable for small-scale
farmers with limited capital to invest. This book describes the breeding
of new vegetable varieties, thedevelopment of improved cultural
methods, and also recent work on the processing and marketing
which are such a vital aspect of small farm development.
Food and Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asian and Pacific
Region
Postharvest Handling of Tropical and Subtropical Fruit
Crops
1988. 136 pp. 19 x 26 cm. Paperback. ISSN 0253-9619. Price (incl.
airmail postage) US $10.00.
Postharvest losses are a problem in small-scale agriculture everywhere,
but are particularly serious in the case of fruit production,
particularly the delicate fruit of the tropics and subtropics. Although
the market prospectsfor such fruit are good in both domestic markets
and overseas, an estimated 25% of fruit produced in Asian countries
is lost because of faulty handling and storage. Better postharvest
handling procedures would make this enormousvolume of produce
available on the market, to provide higher incomes for farmers and
quality foods for consumers.
This book is the Proceedings of an international seminar held in
Taiwan, China in November 1987. The papers give the results of a
great deal of recent research on such topics as chemical treatments,
control of thermal stress, packaging techniques and storage methods.
Some very useful papers give general information on the extent
and causes of postharvest losses of fruit, and ways in which countries
FFTC/ASPAC 329