RAJSHAHI, Jan 30, 2021 (BSS)- Agricultural scientists and researchers
viewed that hot water treatment can be the effective means of reducing post-
harvest losses of fruits and vegetables caused by conventional and
unscientific practices.
The traditional practices cause huge loss of vegetables and various
seasonal fruits including mango at different stages of the supply chain every
year but the losses can be reduced qualitatively and quantitatively after the
best uses of modern technologies of hot water treatment, washing and
packaging.
The experts came up with the observations while conducting sessions of a
daylong training styled “Value Chain Based Improved Postharvest Management of
Fruits and Vegetables” in Rajshahi city on Friday.
Post-harvest Technology Section under Horticulture Research Centre of
Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) organised the training at
Rajshahi Fruit Research Station (RFRS) under the Integration of Postharvest
Technology and Best practices in the Value Chain of Fruits and Vegetables
project and National Agricultural Technology Project (NATP).
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Komola Ranjan Das
addressed the training as the chief guest while Director of Bangladesh Sugar
Crop Research Institute Dr Samajit Kumar Paul and Principal Investigator of
the Project and BARI Chief Scientific Officer Dr Nazrul Islam spoke as
special guests.
Head of the Department of Food and Agriculture Research in Dhaka University
Professor Latiful Bari presided over the programme while FRS Principal
Scientific Officer and Co-investigator of the project Dr Alim Uddin welcomed
the participants.
Around 20 businessmen, farmers and exporters joined the training. The
participants were given knowledge and ideas on how to treat, wash and package
their post harvested fruits and vegetables practically at the newly
established Pack house at Baneshwar Bazar.
In his remarks, Komola Ranjan Das said the major causes of post-harvest
losses are enormous like improper harvesting, traditional handling practices
at different stages of supply chain and post-harvest diseases.
To overcome the odd situation, it is essential to apply improved post-
harvest handling practices to reduce the post-harvest losses of fruits and
vegetables to a minimum acceptable level in the industry.
Post-harvest measures of mango and vegetables include improved handling,
packaging, transportation and storage facilities.
He told the participants that Baneshwar Bazar Pack House has been installed
for hot water treatment, Washing and Packaging of Postharvest fruits and
vegetables innovated by BARI for benefiting the farmers and traders
concerned.
Steps should be taken to disseminate the improved post-harvest handling
technologies among different stakeholders at different stages of the supply
chain of mango fruit as it plays a vital role towards uplifting the region’s
socio-economic condition.
Disseminating his expertise Prof Latiful Bari said utmost emphasis should
be given to reduce the post-harvest losses of mangoes at different supply
chains starting from harvesting to retailers.
“Mango is a very demandable fruit. It is one of the most relished fruit
crops in the country which demand is increasing very rapidly. From a
nutritional point of view, it contains adequate quantities of appreciable –
carotene, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. It also contains soluble sugars and
different minerals,” he added.