Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Situation Analysis

What happens to food after it’s harvested from the trees? How to ensure that the juicy

tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), crisp lettuce (Lactuca sativa), and golden grains retain their

freshness and nutritional value until they reach plates? The answer lies in post-harvest handling,

a crucial phase that bridges the gap between the farm and kitchens.

According to Parfitt, J., Barthel, M., & Macnaughton, S. (2010), developing countries

predominantly suffer pre-consumer losses due to financial, managerial, and technical limitations.

In contrast, developed nations face post-consumer losses. This disparity extends to fresh tomato

supply chains, where developed countries experience losses primarily at the consumer level,

while less developed nations encounter significant pre-consumer losses.

Proper post-harvest handling of rice ensures grain quality for consumers. Activities such

as harvesting, drying, storing, and milling significantly impact rice quality. Attention to detail

during these stages contributes to good-quality grains (Gado, C. L., 2014). It plays a crucial role

in the agricultural sector, ensuring the quality, safety, and marketability of crops after they have

been harvested. In the Philippines, where agriculture is a significant contributor to the economy

and livelihoods, effective post-harvest handling is of paramount importance. One key aspect is

minimizing losses due to spoilage, pests, and physical damage during handling, storage, and

transportation. Proper post-harvest practices also help maintain the nutritional value of crops,

ensuring food security and safety for consumers.

 However, the status of post-harvest handling in the Philippines presents challenges.

Despite its importance, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to technology and equipment,

and insufficient training and knowledge among farmers and handlers hinder optimal post-harvest

practices. As a result, significant portions of harvested crops are lost or degraded before reaching

markets, leading to economic losses for farmers and reduced food availability for consumers.

The Philippines grapples with post-harvest losses, particularly in rice, corn, fruits, and

vegetables. Approximately 15% of grains, 28% of fruits, and 40% of vegetables are lost

Andales, A. A., et al. (2000). The government recognizes the importance of proper handling

and technology. Initiatives include the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA)

and projects like the Philippine Nautical Highway to reduce transit time for perishable crops.

In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), tomatoes face significant post-harvest losses, primarily

occurring before reaching consumers. Recent studies estimate losses of approximately 9.5% in

East Africa, 9.8% in Central and Southern Africa, and 10.04% in West Africa. Kenya, South

Africa, and Nigeria experience multi-million dollar losses due to inadequate monitoring and

quantification Sibomana, M. S., Workneh, T. S., & Audain, K. (2016).

According to Philippine Graphics (2023), the Philippines grapples with post-harvest losses,

particularly in rice, corn, fruits, and vegetables. Approximately 15% of grains, 28% of fruits, and

40% of vegetables are lost. The government recognizes the importance of proper handling and

technology. Initiatives include the Agricultural and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) and

projects like the Philippine Nautical Highway to reduce transit time for perishable crops. Beyond

technological solutions, best practices play a crucial role. Proper handling during harvesting,

sorting, grading, and suitable packaging can reduce losses. Quality identification and origin
labeling enhance consumer confidence. Biological and environmental factors contribute to post-

harvest losses. Understanding these challenges allows to implement effective interventions.

Reducing losses by even 10% can yield more food than increasing yield without addressing post-

harvest issues.

In this exploration, the delve into the intricacies of post-harvest practices, their impact on food

security, and the challenges faced by farmers and consumers alike.

Objectives

These study aims to discuss and elaborate post-harvest handling. Specifically, it aims to:

1. Identify the different post-harvest operations on:

a. root vegetable crops,

b. leafy vegetable crops,

c. flower vegetable crops,

d. immature fruit vegetables,

e. mature -fruit vegetable and fruits.

2. Enhance the students knowledge and capabilities about post-harvest handling

practices.

3. Demonstrate to the students on how to minimize production losses and enables

them to extend the knowledge to other farmers.

Materials And Procedure

Materials Used:

In completing these laboratory exercise, the students have used the following materials:

Pen, for annotating and making corrections on the printed laboratory exercise. Notes, to jot

down important points during the proofreading process. Internet and Books, used as references

to verify facts, concepts, and terminology. Laptop, essential for editing and compiling the final

report.

Procedure:

In coming up with this study the students have done the following steps: Initial review

and division of work, the students began by thoroughly reviewing the given laboratory exercise.

Next, they divided the work among themselves. Each student focused on a specific section or

aspect of the exercise. Individual contributions, working diligently each student addressed their

assigned portion. Some students cross-referenced information from textbooks and online sources

to enhance accuracy. Collaboration via group chat, after completing their individual tasks, the

students shared their work in a group chat. This allowed them to compile all the revised sections

into a single document. They discussed any discrepancies, resolved conflicting edits, and ensured

a cohesive flow. Compilation and data editing, one member took responsibility for compiling

the revised sections. They integrated the contributions, maintaining a seamless transition

between paragraphs. Peer and adviser review, with the initial laboratory report ready, the

students sought feedback. Peers and the course adviser critically reviewed the document. They

identified areas that needed improvement, such as grammar, clarity, and content. Suggestions
were incorporated, and any remaining errors were rectified. Final corrections and polishing,

armed with feedback the students meticulously edited the report. They fine-tuned sentences,

checked formatting, and ensured proper citation. Printing and submission, the students printed

the polished report. They double-checked pagination, headers, and footers. The neatly bound

final output was submitted to their subject instructor, representing their collective effort and

commitment to excellence.
Conclusion

Post-harvest handling is critical for ensuring food security, reducing economic losses, and

enhancing the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in the Philippines. While challenges

exist, concerted efforts by government, private sector, and other stakeholders can help address

these issues and improve the status of post-harvest handling, ultimately benefiting farmers and

consumers. By integrating knowledge, technology, and best practices, we can ensure that our

agricultural bounty reaches every table, minimizing waste and maximizing well-being.

Recommendation

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach involving investments in

infrastructure, technology, and human capital. Improving storage facilities, transportation

networks, and packaging materials can help minimize post-harvest losses and maintain crop

quality. Additionally, providing farmers and handlers with training and access to information on

best practices can enhance skills and knowledge, enabling to adopt more efficient and effective

handling techniques.

Moreover, government support and collaboration with private sector stakeholders are essential to

create an enabling environment for improving post-harvest handling in the Philippines. Policy

initiatives, incentives, and regulatory frameworks can encourage investments in infrastructure

and technology while promoting research and innovation in post-harvest technologies.

References

Sibomana, M. S., Workneh, T. S., & Audain, K. (2016). A review of postharvest

handling and losses in the fresh tomato supply chain: a focus on Sub-Saharan
Africa. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12571-016-0562-1

Parfitt, J., Barthel, M., & Macnaughton, S. (2010). Food waste within food supply
chains: quantification and potential for change to 2050. Philosophical
Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 365(1554), 3065–
3081. https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?&title=Food%20waste
%20within%20food%20supply%20chains%3A%20quantification%20and
%20potential%20for%20change%20to%202050&journal=Philosophical
%20Transactions%20of%20the%20Royal
%20Society&doi=10.1098%2Frstb.2010.0126&volume=365&pages=3065-
3081&publication_year=2010&author=Parfitt%2CJ&author=Barthel
%2CM&author=MacNaughton%2CS
Gado. C.L. (2014). Post Care on Rice. Department of Agriculture: Philippine Rice Research Institute.
https://www.philrice.gov.ph/post-care-on-rice-2/

PhilippineGraphics, (2023).The Hidden Price of Posr-Harvest losses: How Improper

Produce Handling Harms Philippine Agriculture.
https://philippinesgraphic.com.ph/2023/03/05/the-hidden-price-of-post-harvest-
losses-how-improper-produce-handling-harms-philippine-agriculture/

Andales, A. A., et al. (2000). Post-harvest losses in the Philippines. Philippine

Journal of Crop Science, 25(3), 1–10.