Agroindustrial project analysi

CHECKLIST OF CRITICAL QUESTIONS 187Acceptable QualityWhat are the market's qualitative requirements?3l What market segments will be served?L How quality conscious are they?C1 What characteristics do they use to define quality?3 What do they pay for different levels of quality?What is the quality of the farm supply?[1 What seed varieties are used?3 Will the resultant characteristics of the raw material be consistentwith the processed product's qualitative needs?El What other quality-oriented inputs are used?3l Do farmers have adequate knowledge of these inputs toachieve the desired levels of quality?O Will technical assistance be needed? of what kind? fromwhom?How does handling and transport affect quality?El Have harvesting and transport personnel been trained inhandling techniques that will minimize damage to produce?El Will transport methods and delays damage the produce?El What nutrient losses and adverse changes in appearance willoccur?How does storage affect quality?E What are the storage facilities and fumigation practices?El Will they prevent damage to produce (including nutrient loss)?What inputs or services can increase quality control?3 Should the processing plant provide seeds, agrochemicals,storage, drying, or other services?El What would be the cost?E1 How much would quality improve?El What would be the economic benefits of these measures?What qualitative specifications and inspection procedures shouldbe instituted?El Are qualitative standards for the raw material specified?E1 Are there means to communicate the specifications for the rawmaterial to the farmers?