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Postharvest handling practices on selected local fruits and vegetables at different levels of the distribution chain.


Citation

Osman, Azizah and Saari, Nazamid and Saleh, Rosli and Bakar, Jamilah and Zainal, Noor Diana and Yacob, Masturina (2009) Postharvest handling practices on selected local fruits and vegetables at different levels of the distribution chain. Journal of Agribusiness Marketing, 2. pp. 38-51. ISSN 1985-3890

Abstract

Proper post harvest handling practices are important to reduce post harvest losses and improve overall harvest quality. However, inevitable post harvest losses occur during post harvest handling at different levels of the distribution chain. A survey was conducted at different levels of the distribution chain where 634 respondents were surveyed from various zones to identify post harvest handling activities that were practised, the potential post harvest activities that can be carried out, and the factors contributing to post harvest losses. The results showed that 27% of fruits and vegetables were sent directly to the wholesaler without any post harvest handling activities. The remaining was weighed (25%), packed (17%) and washed (10%). Among the post harvest handling activities, packaging (23.8%) had the highest potential of reducing post harvest losses. A majority of the farmers did not perform potential post harvest handling activities mainly because of insufficient knowledge. As for the four categories (knowledge, attitude, infrastructure and resources) identified contributing to post harvest losses, the results showed that 36.7% was due to insufficient knowledge of good handling practices, 50.3% due to inefficient/improper handling systems, 51.9% due to improper infrastructure and 38.8% due to insufficient funding.


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Official URL or Download Paper: http://www.fama.gov.my/web/guest/504

Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Subject: Crops - Postharvest losses - Prevention.
Subject: Fruit - Postharvest diseases and injuries.
Subject: Vegetables - Postharvest diseases and injuries.
Divisions: Faculty of Food Science and Technology
Publisher: Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA)
Keywords: Post harvest handling practices; Post harvest losses; Distribution chains; Fruits and vegetables.
Depositing User: Khairil Ridzuan Khahirullah
Date Deposited: 27 Aug 2012 03:27
Last Modified: 27 Aug 2012 03:27
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16258
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