Cropping
When the time is ripe:
Harvesting
Today, one of the main global
commodities and production areas
Types of Containers
challenges is how to ensure food
and seasons. As a product moves in
Plastic field bins and totes are preferred
security for a world growing population
the postharvest chain, PHLs may
to wooden containers since plastic
whilst ensuring long-term sustainable
occur from a number of causes, such
surfaces are easier to clean and
development. According to the FAO,
as
sanitize. Wooden containers or field
improper
handling
or
food production will need to grow by
biodeterioration by microorganisms,
totes are almost impossible to sanitize
70% to feed world population which
insects, rodents or birds.
since they have a porous surface. Wood
will reach 9 billion by 2050.
Harvesting equipment may include a
or metal fasteners such as nails may
Obviously, one of the major ways of
wide range of different instruments
accidentally be introduced into
strengthening food security is by
and containers. During harvest look
produce. Before reusing cardboard field
reducing these losses. Along the
for ways to reduce contaminating
bins, they should be visually inspected
renewed focus on investment in
produce. Harvest tools, bins,
for cleanliness, and lined with a clean
agriculture that began in 2008, there is
harvesters, and the environment are
plastic bag that is intended for food to
an increasing interest in effective
all potential sources of contamination.
prevent the risk of cross contamination.
(PHL) reduction
Best Practices for Use of Produce
can leach into food; therefore, do not
intervention for Post-Harvest Losses
Trash bags often contain chemicals that
Harvesting is the act of removing a
Containers
use as a food container during
crop from where it was growing and
Equipment and containers used by
harvesting, transporting, or marketing.
moving it to a more secure location for
growers to harvest and market
processing, consumption, or storage.
produce need to be kept clean. This
Harvest Containers and Tools
The crop type and expected harvest
requires diligence in care and
Keep it clean. There is no good reason
volume will determine the harvesting
maintenance to prevent foodborne
for putting clean produce in a dirty
method that is to be used. Certain
illness and keep high quality products.
container that might introduce a
crops are harvested by hand, while
Equipment and containers used for
pathogen.
others are harvested either manually
harvesting, transporting, and
or mechanically. Hand harvesting
displaying produce can pose a risk for
usually provides a better quality
contamination of food if not properly
product than mechanical harvesting.
cleaned, sanitized, and maintained
Postharvest losses vary greatly among
July - August 2016
Ÿ
Choose containers that can be
cleaned, such as plastic.
Ÿ
Clean containers and tools
between uses so they do not
serve as a source of pathogens
[44]FARMERS
REVIEW AFRICA
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