บทคัดย่องานวิจัย

Assessment of post-harvest handling systems of vegetables in the Eastern hills of Nepal

Udas S.; Rai B.K.; Khatiwada P.P.; Grurng M. and Thapa R.

5th International Postharvest Symposium . Volume of Abstract . Verona, Italy 6-11 June 2004, p.124

2004

บทคัดย่อ

Assessment of post-harvest handling systems of vegetables in the Eastern hills of Nepal The post harvest handling systems of four vegetables (cauliflower, cabbage, radish and tomato) in the vegetable growing areas of Eastern hills Nepal was studied. Information was collected o­n: the time of harvest; harvesting methods, timing and availability of transport; grading; pre-cooling; packaging and storage. It was estimated that total post harvest losses of cauliflower, cabbage; radish and tomatoes due to spoilage and insect damage were 6%, 9%, 6% and 3% at collection canter respectively, losses of cauliflower and cabbage (due to spoilage, bruise and trimmings) were 41%, 34%, radish (breakage) 4.5% and tomato (due to rupturing and spoilage) was 7%. The commodity loss due to spoilage and trimmings are then sold at 2 NRs kg-1 for animal feeding by the retailers. The factors responsible for post harvest losses were a lack of proper packaging, transportation and grading systems.

An attempt was made to bring awareness about the post harvest handling systems by training farmers and the vegetable traders in the Eastern hills of Nepal. There is a great need for more research and training to overcome post harvest losses of vegetables in developing countries by adopting low cost technologies appropriate and affordable to the farmers, traders and processors as well.