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Dr. Sreekanta Sheel 2

1. Introduction Fruits and vegetables are an important sub-sector in the agricultural sector because they are valued as protective food. They are very rich source of minerals, vitamins providing more energy per unit weight than cereals. Bangladesh allows the production of a variety of fruits and vegetables. However, there is a wide gap between availability and the per capita nutritional requirement of fruits. One of the main reasons for lower availability of quality fruits and vegetables is considerably high post-harvest losses due to higher perishability, poor transportation, improper storage and low processing capacity with a growing population. Similarly, heavy post harvest loss occurs in case of cut flowers as they are also highly perishable. The increased production of horticultural other agricultural produces will be fully realized only when they reach the consumers in good condition and at a reasonable price. The post-harvest losses could be considerably reduced by adopting improved packaging, handling, storage and efficient system of transport. Packaging fresh horticultural produces is one of the most important steps in the long and complicated journey from grower to consumer. Packing and packaging materials contribute a significant cost to the produce industry; therefore it is important that packers, shippers, buyers, and consumers have a clear understanding of the wide range of packaging options available. Packaging of horticultural produces is undertaken primarily to assemble the produce in convenient units for marketing and distribution. The package must stand up to long distance transportation, multiple handling, and the climate changes of different storage places, transport methods and market conditions. In designing packages for horticultural produces, one should consider both the physiological characteristics of the produces as well as the whole distribution network. The package must be capable of protecting the produces from the transport hazards; preventing the microbial and insect damage; minimizing the physiological and biochemical changes and losses in weight. Careful packing of the produces is necessary to keep the produce in place with minimum shaking. The present packaging systems for fresh horticultural produces is unscientific. Uses of traditional forms of packages like bamboo baskets are still prevalent. Other types of packages generally used are polystyrene bags and gunnysacks. Use of used corrugated fiber board boxes is very limited. Baskets besides being unhygienic also do not allow adequate aeration and convenience of easy handling and stocking. Although very recently, in some cases, packaging of fruits and vegetables in plastic crates have been initiated. Therefore, considering the long-term needs of eco-systems and to achieve an overall economy, other alternatives available like plastic crates/trays, corrugated fiberboard boxes, corrugated polypropylene board boxes, woven sacks, moulded pulp trays/ thermoformed plastic trays, stretched film and shrink wrapping and other low cost appropriate packaging materials would have to be looked into. On the other hand, cold storages are meant to preserve the perishable commodities of food items for a longer period with retention of the original colour, flavour and taste. However, each commodity or item

1 Paper presented in the International Conference on “Logistics and Supply Chain Management in Food

Industry, 2014” held on 25 January, 2014 at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh

2 Logistics (Transportation and Storage) Expert, Supply Chain Development Component, National Agricultural

Technology Project (NATP), Hortex Foundation, 22, Manik Miah Avenue, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Cell: +8801714 083 764

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has certain life and they cannot be stored even in a cold storage for indefinite period. Storage beyond certain period may not be economical as well since payment of rent of cold storage increases the cost of the item. Hence, cold storages are used for high value items or when prices crash down due to bumper crop or for such items which are grown during the season but there is a demand round the year or for storing the commodities during transition period in the supply chain. Refrigerated storage which includes cold storage and frozen food storage is the best known method of preservation of food to retain its value. Preservation of food by proper storage assumes great importance in a country like Bangladesh where food shortage is a perennial problem. Several kinds of fruits and vegetables are cultivated seasonally depending on rainfall land other climatic conditions. These have to be preserved both at producing and assembly centers as well as consuming centers, and by employing correct storage practices it is possible to store them for a range of periods depending on the nature of the produces.

Small scale cold storages are available in the country is of 20 MT covering the floor space area of 400 sq-

ft with the height of 16 ft. Fruits and vegetables with compatible groups (in terms of temperature and

humidity) are stored at the amount up to 15 MT. Establishment cost of such cold storage may be of not

less than BDT 35 Lac and the power consumption is around 12 kW per hour. Although the temperature

control in such type of cold storage is possible in the wide ranges from freezing to ambient condition and

with this facility all types of horticultural produces may be stored well, but the overhead cost including

power consumption is comparatively much higher.

Therefore, it is necessary to find out low-cost storage system to be adopted especially, at the production

and assembly centers. In this perspective, there is potentiality for i) Zero Energy Evaporative Cooler, ii)

small scale low-cost cold storage using modified room air conditioner and iii) CoolBot technology for small

scale cold rooms. Hortex Foundation has been entrusted to implement for the Supply Chain Development Component of the National Agricultural Technology Project (Funded by the World Bank, IFAD and Govt. of Bangladesh). The Foundation assisted in the implementation of the component by promoting more equitable supply chain governance and market linkages for selected high value agricultural commodities. In the component, an important mandate was to transfer appropriate technologies on packaging, storage and transportation of horticultural produces to the stakeholders. In this context, existing situation was assessed and some relevant interventions were provided in the field. On the basis of the lesson learnt from the situation survey and interventions provided, the paper aims at reviewing traditional packaging, storage and transportation system of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers and its effect on quality and post-harvest loss, constraints and opportunities in adoption of appropriate technologies on packaging, storage and transportation system.

2. Existing Packaging and Transportation System

Different types of indigenous packaging materials are being used in packaging of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers at farmers and traders’ level in Bangladesh. In most cases, the nature and volume of packages are different in both the cases. The major traditional packaging and transportation systems for fruits, vegetables and cut flowers at farmers and traders’ level are as follows:

2.1 Packaging and Transportation of Fruits and Vegetables for Domestic Marketing 2.1.1 Packaging and Transportation at Farmer’s Level (transportation from farmers’ yard to assembly market)

Khacha: It is a bamboo made basket to carry fruits and vegetable on rickshaw van. It generally has a capacity of 40-60 kg. Usually 4 ‘khacha’s are placed on rickshaw van. Also, sometimes 5 ‘khacha’s are placed while

Fig. 1. Transportation by rickshaw van in ‘khacha’

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one is placed at the top of the others at the middle position of the van (as in Fig.1). Sometimes the ‘khacha’s are also transported in rickshaw (as in Fig.2) while other type of packages like jute sacks are also loaded in it.

Berri: This special type of package made temporarily on a rickshaw van creating a partition with a mat prepared with bamboo slipper or date-palm leaf (Fig. 3). About 200-300 kg of vegetables like teasel gourd, bitter gourd, pointed gourd etc. are kept on it. Van-top: The van-top it-self acts as a package.

Comparatively bigger sized vegetables like brinjal, snake gourd, ash gourd, ridged gourd etc. are directly placed on the van-top in such a manner that the commodities are kept in a steady condition (Fig.4) Direct loading in floor of tempo: In some cases, vegetables also loaded directly to the floor of tempo (Fig.5). While the vehicle filled like direct loading in a truck.

2.1.2 Packaging and Transportation at Traders Level (transportation from assembly market to wholesale market):

Jute sack: Jute sack with capacity of 50-60 kg is also used in transportation of green fruits like lemon, olive, golden apple and vegetables (Fig.6). It is also used in farmers’ level transportation.

Polystyrene sack (bag): Polystyrene bags with the capacity of 40-60 kg are also more often used in transportation of vegetables at traders’ level (Fig.7). Post-harvest loss of vegetables is too high in this case as ventilation is too low or more or less absent in the package.

Bamboo basket with gunny bag: This package is mostly used in transportation of vegetable in truck (Fig.8). The package usually contains 75-80

kg of vegetables. These are loaded in truck one above another and about 130 packages are loaded in a truck and thus, about 10MT vegetables are carried in a truck by this way.

Direct loading in truck: In most cases, vegetables also loaded directly to truck without packaging (Fig.9). The commodities are heaped on the truck with a height of 3-4 ft.

Fig. 3. Transportation by rickshaw van in ‘Berri’

Fig. 4. Transportation by rickshaw van in ‘Van-top’

Fig. 2. Transportation by

rickshaw in ‘khacha’

Fig. 5. Transportation by

loading in floor of tempo

Fig. 6. Lemon packed in jute

sack

Fig. 7. Vegetables packed in polystyrene sack

Fig. 9. Vegetables packed by direct loading in truck

Fig. 8. Vegetables packed in bamboo basket with

gunny bag

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Drummy pack: A bigger size drum like package is used as transport pack capacity of which, is about 300-400kg. At first, the vegetable like teasel gourd is accumulated as in Fig. 10 and then it is wrapped with jute sack. A group of 6-8 people load the package into the truck by holding surrounding the drammy pack. Usually the traders prepare the package at the roadside from where it is loaded to truck.

2.1.3 Packaging and Transportation at Retailers’ Level Usually the retailers purchase the commodities from the wholesalers in the same packages which were sold by the traders. But more often, the

retailers while purchase lower volume of commodity, repack those in smaller khacha or tookri (bamboo made basket) or gunny bag. The retailers usually use rickshaw van or rickshaw as transport vehicles. 2.1.4 Consumer pack In the retail market (‘kancha bazaar’), the consumers usually carry hand bags in which the vegetables are kept after purchase from the retailer. However in most cases, the retailers deliver the produces in poly pack/ synthetic cotton bag to the consumer.

2.2 Packaging of Fruit and Vegetables for Export Marketing The exporter uses corrugated fiber board cartoon of 5 kg capacity for packaging vegetables. Usually the commodity are sorted and graded in a shed and packed in corrugated fiberboard carton. The cartons are re-enforced through tying with jute rope.

2.3 Packaging and Transportation of Cut Flowers for Domestic Marketing

Wrapping with jute sack: Usually roses are stacked putting flower-top inside the pack (Fig. 12 left). A jute sack is wrapped surrounding the flowers. Gladiolus and tuberoses are also wrapped with the sack while flower-top keeping up.

Used Corrugated Fiberboard Carton: Used corrugated fiberboard cartons are also used in packaging the cut flowers. The system is mostly used in retailers’ level transportation by rickshaw or rickshaw van (Fig. 13).

Fig. 10. Vegetables packed in drummy pack

Fig. 12. Roses packed by wrapping with jute sack and transportation by truck

Fig. 11. Vegetables packed in

corrugated fiber board cartoon for export marketing

Fig. 13. Transportation of Tube roses and gladiolus packed in used corrugated fiber board

cartoon at retailers’ level

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Bamboo-mat boxes: A box is prepared with bamboo-mat made with bamboo slippers. About 1000 gerbera flowers are loaded to the boxes (Fig. 14).

Square sized gerbera cup: Standard gerbera cups are not available in the local market. Hence the farmers are using a square sized polypropylene pouch making a hole at the bottom of the pack (Fig. 15). Through using this cup, gerbera flower petals are usually entered at the corner of the cup as a result, the petals are wounded and the flower losses its original shape.

3. Effect of Improper Packaging and Transportation of horticultural produces

3.1 Reducing Shelf-life and Deterioration of Quality

The major causes and effect of the traditional packaging and transportation of horticultural produces are as follows:

Lack of aeration due to compression and poor ventilation within package, hinder removal of heat , carbon-di-oxide and water and entrance of oxygen as a result, high heat developed in the package, the produces becomes overripe or softens; produce wilts and develops off-flavours; decay develops rapidly; and consequently the shelf-life reduces and the quality deteriorates in the produces

Exposure of packages to external heat, e.g. direct sunlight, affects the produces towards deteriorations

Softening and collapse of stacked packages; squashing of produce in collapsed packages; decay promotes in damaged produce;

Sharp objects of the packaging materials bruise the produces, cause deep punctures or cuts in produce, leading to water loss and rapid decay

Throwing or dropping of packages, sudden starting or stopping of vehicle, vibration of the vehicle, speeding loaded vehicle on rough road cause damage the produces

Oversized containers, containers overfilled or stacked too high or both, collapse of stacked containers during transport deteriorate the shelf-life and quality of the produces

3.2 Post-harvest Loss of Fruits and Vegetables

Postharvest losses significantly reduce the availability of produce in markets, and widen the price gap between the producer and consumer. Post-harvest loss of selected of fruit and vegetables for the year 2006-07 are presented in Table 1. Serious quantitative and qualitative losses occur in fresh produce, during all stages of the complex marketing chain. Results of a study conducted by BARI, 2006 revealed that the postharvest losses in some selected fruits and vegetables vary between 18% and 37%. An estimated 1825026 MT of fruits and vegetables are lost during postharvest operations on an annual (2006) basis. Improper postharvest management practices such as harvesting at incorrect stages of maturity, improper handling, improper packaging and transportation and inadequate storage facilities are some of the major reasons for such high postharvest losses.

Fig.15 Square sized

polypropylene pouch cap used in gerbera

Fig.14 Bamboo-mat box being used for packaging gerbera

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Table 1. Post-harvest Loss of Selected of Fruit and Vegetables for the Year 2006-07

Post-harvest Loss (%) Total PH loss of Crops

(MT) Crops

Area (ha)

Production (MT)

Producer Collector Wholesaler Retailer Total

Mango (In Garden) 29109 259120 2 5 22 4 33 85510

Pineapple (06-07) 16978 238360 2 4 8 4 18 42905

Banana 58818 1004520 2 4 8 6 20 200904

Papaya (In Garden) 1107 33855 6 10 15 4 35 11849

Lime (In Garden) 1956 13835 4 8 14 2 28 3874

Beans 15455 82980 4 6 13 5 28 23234

Carrot 1111 9855 3 6 12 4 25 2464

Cabbage 15287 182685 4 7 9 5 25 45671

Bitter gourd 7949 34445 4 6 11 6 27 9300

Tomato 19417 136935 5 10 15 7 37 50666

Okra 9385 38715 3 10 13 8 34 13163

Eggplant 17820 110910 2 5 6 7 20 22182

Chilies 141490 153955 2 3 5 4 14 21554

Potatoes 139676 5167000 3 4 12 6 25 1291750

Average % Loss 3.3 6.3 11.6 5.1 26.4

Total 7467170 1825026

4. Impacts of SCDC Interventions on Packaging, Storage and Transportation of Horticultural Produces The impacts of the SCDC intervention performed in the period of 2010-2013 at the stakeholders’ level are as follows:

4.1 Harvesting, Packaging and Transportation of Fruits and Vegetables Improved Lemon Harvester Harvesting of lemon from the lemon branches having throne is not an easy task. Traditionally, the lemon farmers use a bamboo harvester having a U-shaped cut in the narrow end of the bamboo. The problem being faced by them are frequently bruising of the harvester end, takes more time and energy for harvesting operation, frequently damaging the branches/stems of lemon and less durability of the bamboo harvester. To overcome these problems, an improved lemon harvester was developed by the reporter and introduced at the project site of Delduar, Tangail. The harvester is made with an aluminum pipe at which a steel pipe having U-shaped cut is fitted with a bolt in one end (Fig. 16). This improved lemon harvester has been widely accepted by the farmers.

Field Transportation Trolley

During manual harvesting of vegetables at sitting condition especially under a mulching, the vegetables has to be kept in a basket or crate which is usually carried manually by walking in a narrow space having

Fig. 16. Improved lemon harvester

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a height of less than 3 feet. The operation is hard working and frequently painful for human beings. Hence, to make the operation easier and to reduce harvesting labour cost and to make transportation from field to home or market easier a model of field transportation trolley having capacity of 60-80 kg of vegetables have been developed and introduced at the project sites of Belabo, Narsingdi and Delduar, Tangail in cases of field transportation of vegetables and lemon respectively. The trolley is being used at the project sites (Fig.17). Packaging and transportation of fruits and vegetables in plastic crates

Demonstration on packaging and transportation of vegetables in plastic crates were conducted to the CIG members. Vegetables were sorted according to the cultivar, stage of maturity, extent of damage due to pests and diseases, malformed parts and color defects. Grading was performed on the basis of vegetable size, colour, freedom from defects, maturity, uniformity and overall quality. Careful packing of vegetables is necessary to keep the produce in place with minimum shaking. Vegetables are normally packed in layers in plastic crates and in each layer products are packed alternately placing the beak of one in between the shoulders of two. This method of packing is easy to follow and quick. It also provides enough room without compressing. Plastic crates are now being used worldwide as transport pack.

Non-nesting crates have been supplied as demonstration (Fig. 18, right side picture) to the farmers’ and traders levels. Grading, sorting and packing of vegetables were performed by farmers who were given price incentives for quality produce. The outcome of this demonstration revealed that the use of plastic crates for handling and transportation of vegetables reduced losses occurring in the marketing chain from 30% to 10% and the quality and safety of vegetables reaching the consumer were appreciably improved.

The cost benefit analysis of using plastic crates against the Bamboo Basket with Jute Sack for transportation of teasle gourd from the Baraicha Bazar, Belabo, Narsingdi to Chittagong market was done on the basis of data obtained from the farmers and traders who were demonstrated on sorting, grading and packaging and transportation of vegetables in plastic crates at Belabo, Narsingdi.

It was observed from the implementation of the demonstration that, Increase in profitability for farmers due to sorting, grading and using crates (on the basis of production cost) was observed to be of 6% and the profit increment for farmers due to sorting, grading and using crates (on the basis of profit obtained in traditional method) was observed as 17%. The Increase in profitability for traders due to sorting, grading and using crates (on the basis of total operational cost) was observed to be of 9.7%

Fig. 18. Non-nesting plastic crates introduced in 2010-11 under the project sites Transported

Fig. 19. Nesting crates made in Bangladesh being demonstrated at the project sites in 2012

Fig. 17. Field transportation trolley

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and the profit increment for traders due to sorting, grading and using crates (on the basis of profit obtained in traditional method) was observed as 52.4%. Realizing some demerits of the non-nesting crates requiring same amount of space at the transport vehicles, nesting crates are being introduced at the project sites. These transport crates require only one fifth space of their filled in condition. As a result, transport cost has been reduced by using these nesting crates (Fig. 19). Nesting crates are now widely used in the developed country like China. In Bangladesh, a manufacturer namely N. Mohahammed Plastics are producing the nesting crates which were used only in the garments industry. This is the first time in the country the nesting crates made in Bangladesh being introduced in fruit and vegetables transportation sector by SCDC, NATP.

Passive Modified Atmosphere Packaging (PMAP)

Modified atmosphere and low temperature storage have been used for many years in many developed countries to reduce respiration rates and the deterioration of fresh produce. In many developing countries, fresh produce is generally packed in film bags (Fig. 20 & 21). A passive modified atmosphere is created within the package by the respiration process of the fresh produce, combined with the permeability of the package. Typically, modified atmospheres consisting of low oxygen and

high CO2 concentrations are used to reduce respiration rates and ethylene production in fresh produces. Such conditions can also be applied to prevent browning of the cut surface, retard enzyme activity and to inhibit microbial growth. Two types of packaging viz. i) cling wrapping with thin film and ii) packing in perforated polypropylene film have good prospects to introduce in the country particularly in superstores.

Packaging of Fresh Cut (Minimally Processed) Fruits and Vegetables Minimal processing for agricultural crops refers to a method in which as much of the original product as possible remains in the finished product (Fig. 22). Market demand of fresh cut fruits and vegetables is high as consumers are more conscious in their food choices but have less time to prepare. The market outlet for minimally processed products has expanded from traditional to exclusive outlets such as supermarkets, hotels, airlines catering services. Consumer demand for convenience and added value means that minimally processed fruits with extended shelf life will play a significant role in the fruit and vegetables industry in the future. However, strict application is necessary in sanitation in processing, improved technology in packaging, and intense commitment to strict attention to maintaining correct low temperatures throughout the cold chain, from distribution, storage, and display to handling to make a success for the industry.

Fig. 22. Minimal processing of fruits and vegetables

Fig. 20. PMAP with cling wrapping

Fig. 21. PMAP with perforated polypropylene

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Fig. 23. Zero Energy Evaporative Cooler

4.2 Storage of Fruits and Vegetables Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables in Zero Energy Evaporative Cooler

Zero Energy Evaporative Cooler (ZEEC) developed by IARI may be used at farmers as well as traders’ level especially at the months of November to May while the relative humidity is comparatively lower (Fig.

23). Zero Energy Evaporative Cooler (ZEEC) acts as a “Natural Refrigerator” for short term preservation of fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, cooked foods etc. at household level and a “Natural Incubator” for storage of microbial culture, fermentation, mushroom cultivation, plant propagation, sericulture etc. It develops bright red colour during ripening of tomato and golden yellow colour of banana. The cooler also reduces starch to sugar conversion during storage of potato. Fruits and vegetables are stored in plastic crates within the chamber. The shelf life of the fruit and vegetables maintained in the cool chamber was reported to be

increased from 3 days to 15 days at room temperature.

Steeping Preservation of Green Fruits Green fruits like green mango, olive, golden apple, aonla etc. can be preserved up to 9-12 months in ambient condition by steeping preservation techniques using a solution containing 8.0 per cent salt, 1.25 per cent glacial acetic acid and 0.1 per cent potassium metabisulphite (KMS) in which the fruits are soaked in a plastic drum and made it air tight (as in Fig. 24). These fruits will be available year round which, will be utilized as the raw material for preparation of pickles, chutneys etc. Also, by introducing this cheap method of preservation of the fruits, the farmers will get an easy way for disposal of the fruit commodity. 4.3 Harvesting, Handling and Post-harvest Treatment of Cut Flower

Cut flowers are highly perishable. Since flowers are valued for their beauty, it is important that they are handled properly after harvest so that they remain fresh for the longest time possible. The following technologies were demonstrated at the project site of Jhikoregachha, Jessore:

Harvesting and Handling Harvesting was done by hand using a sharp knife for gladiolus, tuberose and rose providing slanting cut at the field. Gerbera was harvested by hand plucking so that the stem root and the plants are not bruised. All the cut flowers except gerbera were harvested at afternoon from 4.00 pm to sunset. The cut flowers were kept in plastic bucket containing water at 3” depth. The commodities are carried to farmers’ premises keeping in the bucket by manual carrying or by rickshaw van. The flowers were sorted according to the cultivar, stage of maturity, extent of damage due to pests and diseases, malformed floral parts and color defects. The designation of grade standards for cut flowers is one of the most controversial areas in their care and handling. Objective standards such as stem length, which is still the major quality standard for many flowers, may bear little relationship to flower quality, vase life or usefulness. Weight of the bunch for a given length is a method that has been shown to strongly reflect flower quality. Straightness of stems, stem strength, flower size, vase life, freedom from defects, maturity, uniformity, and foliage quality are among the factors which was used in cut flower grading.

Fig. 24. Steeping preserved green fruit in

plastic drums

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Re-hydration Wilted flowers were placed in water to restore turgidity. Usually, these should be rehydrated with de-ionized water containing a germicide. The rehydration solution was prepared with 1% bleaching powder (available at the local market) and 0.3% citric acid (so that pH of the solution reaches near to 3.5). Four litres of the solution was taken in plastic bucket of 30 liter capacity. The stem of the sorted and graded cut flowers were placed in the solution of the buckets and kept up to 2-3 hours.

Pulsing The term "pulsing" means placing flowers in a solution specially formulated to extend their storage and vase life. Pulsing solutions are specific to the individual crop. At the present time, they are used to provide additional sugar (gladiolus, tuberose), to extend the life of ethylene-sensitive flowers and to prevent leaf yellowing. Sucrose is the main ingredient of pulsing solutions providing additional sugar. The concentration of sugar was used 3% in the cut flowers. The rehydration solution which was used during rehydration process was collected in container and sugar was mixed with the solution. The solution thus prepared was used as pulsing solution in which the flowers were kept for 10-12 hours (Fig. 25).

4.4 Packaging and Transportation of Cut Flower

Packaging with Bamboo Sleeper made Boxes Bunching: The pulsing treated cut flowers were bunched according to number, cost, susceptibility to injury, and display quality of individual flower heads. Gladiolus, tuberose, rose and gerbera were bunched with 25, 50, 100 and 25 numbers of sticks respectively. Bunches of gladiolus, tuberose, rose and gerbera were held together by string made with jute, paddy straw and elastic bands respectively. Sleeving: The spikes of gladiolus and tuberose were sleeved with white newsprint paper to prevent them from becoming entangled with

each other. The top of the sleeve was remained open. The spikes of rose and gerbera were sleeved with thin CFB and white paper respectively. Before sleeving gerberas were put on by triangular shaped gerbera cap. Stem-cut wrapping with wet cotton: The cut portions of the stems of the bunched and sleeved flowers were wrapped with low-cost cotton soaked with rehydration solution and surrounded by a polythene pack so that the stem can absorb some water from the

solution during transportation and marketing at the whole sale market. Packaging: After Stem-cut wrapping, the flowers were packed in bamboo sleeper made boxs (khacha). The flowers were arranged in layers alternately. Alternate layers of flowers were remained the heads at the same end. Newspapers were used as cushioning materials during packing to minimize mechanical injury.

Fig 27: Rose being wrapped with thin CFB

Fig.25. Gladiolus being treated with pulsing

solution

Fig 26: Bamboo sleeper made boxes

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Packaging of Gladiolus and Tuberose: Gladiolus and tuberose after sleeving placed in the bamboo box (Fig.26) and covered with a partition made with bamboo sleeper or in the iron crates. In case of the filled in bamboo box, it is strengthened by tying with jute rope. Packaging of Gerbera: Gerbera cup is worn with the gerbera flower and then a polythene sleeve is used with 10 gebera stems. These flowers are packed in the bamboo made khachha Packaging of Rose: After grading, the heads of the Roses are all positioned at the same height, tied and wrapped with special corrugated carton (Fig.27). The object of the wrap is to prevent the tips of the flowers from bumping up against the end of the box.

Ice Packaging Using Insulated Fiberboard Carton

Ice packaging using insulated fiberboard carton was demonstrated at the project site of Jhikoregachha as in Fig. 28. The package is prepared with double layer fibre board carton. A low cost blanket like mat is placed between the two layers of fiberboard carton. Plastic bottles containing ice is wrapped with newspaper followed by placed among the layers of flower to be packed. The package finally tightened with plastic tape.

Preparation and Introduction of Gerbera Cup

Gerbera cup is the packaging solution to protect the gerbera flower (Fig.29). Because each gerbera flower is individually protected with a cup (small plastic sleeve), the gerbera flower is handled at the transport period much better without damaging the flower. By using the gerbera cups the gerbera flower will arrive at the florist or wholesaler in top quality, which reduce the chance of claims.

Introduction of Rose Cap

Rose cap was introduced at the project site of Jhikoregachha (Fig. 30). Al though this type of nylon made or foam net made cap is not still manufactured in the country, some caps were collected from abroad and demonstrated at the farmers’ level. A great impact was observed by using the rosecap. The farmers are getting about double prices by using the cap, viz previously they sold rose at the rate of Tk. 7/- per flower, but after using the rose cap (price of which is about Tk. 0. 40 per piece) they are getting Tk. 12/- to 14/- for a flower.

Fig 29: Gerbera wrapped with conical

(improved) gerbera cup

Fig 30: Using of rose cap at the farmers’ field of Jhikoregachha

Fig 28: Rose being packed in insulated fiberboard carton using ice bottle

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5. Government Policy

The Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has declared agriculture as a thrust sector in recognition of its multi-faceted contribution to the national economy. The government has taken the initiative to modernize the agricultural sector in light of WTO rules and SAPTA and other international treaties. The main elements of National Agriculture Policy include developing profitable and sustainable agricultural production systems, enhancing the purchasing power of farmers by increasing their real income, increasing the production and supply of agricultural produce suitable for the agro-processing sector, reducing imports of agricultural produce and products, increasing exports and facilitating the development of agro-processing industries. The government has accorded priority to the expansion of agri-business. Cash incentives are being provided for the export of frozen foods, agro-based products, vegetables, fruits etc. in order to promote export oriented agro-based industries. The Government has provided a tax rebate for agro-processing industries, poultry farming, dairy, pisciculture, and horticulture in order to encourage investment in these sectors. The government has also declared the agro-based industry, frozen meat industry, jute industry, and the silk industries as thrust sectors and financial institutions have been instructed to reduce interest rates and provide additional long-term loans to these sub-sectors. The Government is also ready and eager to provide all necessary assistance to expedite development of the fruit and vegetable processing sector.

6. Constraints in Introduction of Improved Technology on Packaging, Transportation and Storage

Inadequacy of extension activity of appropriate post-harvest technologies for fruits and vegetables;

Technical manpower, research and development activities are deficient and inadequate;

Insufficiency of training and demonstration activities and centers for fostering entrepreneurship;

Inadequacy of credit facilities at reasonable interest rates, for growers and traders;

Inadequacy of transport facilities create serious bottlenecks in the marketing of fruits, vegetables and cut flowers;

t infrastructure coupled with lack of technical know-how also result in high post-harvest losses;

and unsafe produce which is generally less costly;

Little sharing of information among farmers, traders, processors, researchers and extensionists on appropriate post-harvest technologies;

Poor linkages between Chambers of Commerce, industries, research institutions and extension agencies.

7. Recommendation

Recommendations for improving packaging, transportation and storage of fruits and vegetables are as follows:

A platform of networks should be created among growers, entrepreneurs, technology providers and consumers in order to provide the impetus required for accelerated investment in the sector.

Institute of Postharvest Technology must be established at the national level in order to generate appropriate postharvest technologies, for pre-harvest treatment, harvesting at proper maturity stages, postharvest handling of fresh produce, the application of postharvest treatments, cost effective packaging, appropriate transportation, the production of value added products, and product formulation, dehydration and processing to assure quality and food security.

On-farm sorting, pre-cooling, packing and storage facilities for fruits and vegetables are essentially required for distant/export marketing.

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Financial and technical support for the development of packaging industries is required.

Establishment of pack house facilities having basic requirements such as washing tanks, sorting and grading devices and low cost Zero Energy Evaporative Cooler and CoolBot cold storage facilities at the premises of the commodity collection centers in major fruit and vegetable producing areas in the country, will overcome the problems of quality deterioration, contamination of fresh produce with harmful bacteria and other extraneous matter and will improve the safety of produce to a great extent.

Inadequate and poor conditions of transport cause considerable damage to horticultural produce. The Government should, therefore, consider allowing the tax free importation of trucks specially designed for the transportation of fruits and vegetables, and other sorting/grading equipment and packaging materials for the fruit and vegetable sector.

Creation of efficient marketing channels which link producers, urban supermarket chains and exporters thereby allowing them to sell their value added produce at attractive prices.

Initiate and coordinate awareness programs for producers, dealers and transporters on postharvest handling and on reducing losses;

Support training farmers in selecting the correct inputs and in postharvest handling, including cleaning, drying, sorting, and packaging at the farm gate;

Establish primary wholesale market yards for a group of villages or in towns with all facilities including grading and quality testing laboratories, storage facilities, cold stores, processing units, packaging plants, and garbage disposal systems;

The low-cost modified atmosphere storage system using sealed polyethylene bags should be standardized for the specific fruit and vegetables commodities to extend their storage life.

Promote ice packaging technique for horticultural produces and necessary structural facilities in the truck for holding the ice packages.

8. Conclusion Currently, the main aim of the farmer is to increase the production of fruits and vegetables and to ensure the sale of these items. Relatively little consideration is given to the post-harvest quality of these fresh produce items. A change in farmer attitude is important if produce quality is to be improved and losses minimized. Lack of knowledge and poor practices are major contributors to post-harvest losses in the marketing chain of vegetables. Appropriate national policies designed to address these issues are required if post-harvest losses are to be reduced. It is not possible to survive in this era of globalization by employing traditional farming techniques only. Geographically, Bangladesh is a small country with limited land resources. The availability of cultivable land is decreasing proportionately with increasing population. The country must therefore increase its productivity, diversify its agricultural production base and increase value addition through the processing of farm products. Efforts must be made to strengthen the post-harvest sector through intensive investment in research and development. Since the high losses are due to the inadequate packaging, reusable and durable nesting type plastic crates have been introduced at the developing countries as a cost effective good quality transport package. Research in many developing countries has indicated that these plastic crates can significantly reduce post-harvest losses. Therefore this technology is readily adaptable in all types of marketing channels of fruits and vegetables. To introduce the crates all over the country subsidy should be provided to the manufacturer and the users. In this issue, policy reform is required. Every step of the food chain should be controlled in order to assure quality and to reduce post-harvest losses. Cooperation among producers, collectors, traders, transporters, retailers and government are the key to achieving good management in post-harvest loss reduction a well as quality retention for the horticultural produces.

14

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