The postharvest improvement program for the Haitian mango industry aims to reduce postharvest losses by 25 percent during the first year of the program. The program is divided into two phases: Phase I, which involves designing a program of proposed training interventions and investments, and Phase II, which will implement the program.
Mangoes are an important and growing export product for Haitian hillside producers. However, current production and postharvest practices employed by producers significantly reduce potential income from mango sales. Haiti has one of the highest postharvest loss rates for mangoes in the world, reducing potential income to small farmers producing this crop. Losses are caused by a variety of factors, including physical impact damage, exposure to sun and rain, and transportation over rough roads without protection.
The current field handling processes are very basic, involving individual fruit handling at least 20 times and providing little or no protection to the fruit. The major recommendations made are to provide training in improved harvesting techniques, including the use of plastic field crates from the harvest onwards, the development of collection centers with basic washing and grading infrastructure, and the use of field crates from the collection centers to the packhouses and improve selective packhouse operations.
A $200,000 investment in harvesting and materials such as crates and collection centers will result in a return on investment with at least 10:1. Other specific recommendations are made relating to harvesting tools, harvesting methods, handling systems, and crate filling. Changing the fruit sizing system from a visual size basis to a weight basis will increase the number of exported cartons by 5 to 10% – with the same total amount of fruit – simply by ensuring more accurate net weights.
The postharvest improvement program will focus on improving field infrastructure and packhouse handling operations. This will involve providing training in improved harvesting techniques, developing collection centers with basic washing and grading infrastructure, and improving selective packhouse operations. The program will also involve investments in low-cost materials and equipment for farmer groups, such as harvesting implements, field crates, and collection centers.
The program will be implemented in two phases. Phase I will design a program of proposed training interventions and investments, while Phase II will implement the program. The detailed terms of reference for Phase I include visiting up to three HAP client farmer groups and two mango exporters to assess postharvest practices and infrastructure, making recommendations on improved postharvest practices, and preparing a written report that provides a brief background on current postharvest constraints and detailed requirements on investments in equipment and materials required for HAP client groups.
The program aims to reduce postharvest losses by 25 percent during the first year of the program. This will be achieved by improving field infrastructure and packhouse handling operations, and by providing training in improved harvesting techniques. The program will also involve investments in low-cost materials and equipment for farmer groups, such as harvesting implements, field crates, and collection centers.