scholarly journals Technical and economic feasibility of improved postharvest management practices in enhancing the eggplant value chain of Bangladesh

Author(s):  
MA Rahman ◽  
M Islam ◽  
MM Begum ◽  
S Arfin

A study was carried out to evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of improved postharvest management practices (IPMP) in enhancing the eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) value chain of Bangladesh. In IPMP, sorting, grading and washing of eggplants were done, and packed them in plastic crates with or without modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Traditional postharvest management practices (TPMP) existed in the value chain was used as control treatment. IPMP including the use of plastic crate with MAP reduced weight losses by 26.7 and 38.0% at wholesale and 2-days display at retail outlets. The total postharvest loss of eggplant handled with TPMP including packed in jute sack was 40.0%, whereas it was only 4.5% when followed IPMP. The reduction of postharvest losses of eggplants handled with IPMP amounted to 88.7%, and 100.0% fruit could be sold at retail outlets. The additional weekly gross income of a small trader by selling 1000 kg eggplant handled with IPMP comprising the plastic crates with MA packaging would be BDT 17,190 (USD 207). Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 9(2): 35-41, December 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah E. Quellhorst ◽  
Anastasia Njoroge ◽  
Taisha Venort ◽  
Dieudonne Baributsa

Food security is a continuing challenge in Haiti. The demand for food far exceeds local supply. As a result, Haiti imports nearly 50% of its national food needs. Postharvest management is an often neglected link in the grain value chain that has potential to improve food availability. We interviewed 214 farmers in three departments in July–August 2017 to assess postharvest handling and storage of grains and gender roles in Haiti. Results showed that among the respondents: 64% were male; 55% were over the age of 40 years; and about half had attended secondary school. Maize and beans were the most grown and stored crops. The average production for maize and beans was 288 kg and 88 kg, respectively. About 75% of the respondents stored less than 100 kg of either crop. Rodents and insects were the main causes of loss during storage. Farmers who produced more grain, stored longer, and experienced losses during drying and seed storage were more likely to use insecticides on stored products. Postharvest management practices were gendered at the lower end of the value chain; where women played a key role in marketing the grain. Addressing postharvest management challenges, through targeted interventions, to increase food availability while investing in maize and bean production can improve food security in Haiti.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 1413-1421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaetano Alessandro Vivaldi ◽  
Salvatore Camposeo ◽  
Giuseppe Lopriore ◽  
Cristina Romero-Trigueros ◽  
Francisco Pedrero Salcedo

Abstract The main objective of this study was to acquire agronomic knowledge about the effects of irrigation with saline reclaimed (RW) and desalinated DESERT (DW) water and different irrigation strategies: control full irrigation (FI) and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on leaf nutrients, tree growth and fruit quality and yield of almond trees in pots. Our results showed that RW had the highest concentration of some valuable agronomic nutrients such as N, but also of phytotoxic elements (Na and Cl−). Na leaf concentration on RW treatments reached toxic levels, especially under RDI, and toxicity symptoms were shown. Regarding tree growth, cumulate trunk diameter on RW-RDI was significantly lower than on the control treatment and shoot growth was reduced from the beginning of the irrigation season in RW treatments. Maximum yield was reached on RW-FI, 18% higher than the control treatment. However, RDI strategies influenced negatively on yield, being 23% less in RW and 7% less in DW although water productivity was not significantly reduced by water stress. These findings manifest that the combination of RW and RDI can be a promising future practice for almond irrigation, but long-term studies to establish suitable management practices must be developed.


ChemSusChem ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 1625-1630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen Althoff ◽  
Kees Biesheuvel ◽  
Ad De Kok ◽  
Henk Pelt ◽  
Matthijs Ruitenbeek ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Kändler ◽  
Ivar Annus ◽  
Anatoli Vassiljev ◽  
Raido Puust

Abstract Stormwater runoff from urban catchments is affected by the changing climate and rapid urban development. Intensity of rainstorms is expected to increase in Northern Europe, and sealing off surfaces reduces natural stormwater management. Both trends increase stormwater peak runoff volume that urban stormwater systems (UDS) have to tackle. Pipeline systems have typically limited capacity, therefore measures must be foreseen to reduce runoff from new developed areas to existing UDS in order to avoid surcharge. There are several solutions available to tackle this challenge, e.g. low impact development (LID), best management practices (BMP) or stormwater real time control measures (RTC). In our study, a new concept of a smart in-line storage system is developed and evaluated on the background of traditional in-line and off-line detention solutions. The system is operated by real time controlled actuators with an ability to predict rainfall dynamics. This solution does not need an advanced and expensive centralised control system; it is easy to implement and install. The concept has been successfully tested in a 12.5 ha urban development area in Tallinn, the Estonian capital. Our analysis results show a significant potential and economic feasibility in the reduction of peak flow from dense urban areas with limited free construction space.


Author(s):  
Tarek Hatem ◽  
Elham Metwally

This research reports the results of a single case study that covers a successful project of IT implementation in International Commercial Bank (ICB) from the Egyptian banking industry. The case highlights leadership actions, as well as other related factors regarding effectiveness of IT implementation that are linked to strategic competitiveness and value creation. Multiple sources of data were used. Primary sources include in-depth interviews in semi-structured format with industry authorities, IT and retail banking managers, and the bank’s executives in general; whereas, secondary sources of data include annual reports, website information, and financial statements. Findings show that successful implementation was influenced by the interplay of several management practices, which eventually, had an impact on strategic competitiveness through their impact on some in-house attributes; notably, a dominating constructive cultural pattern leading to higher levels of organizational commitment, and the bank’s value chain.


2021 ◽  
pp. 325-344
Author(s):  
James Monaghan ◽  

In this chapter the main challenges for the postharvest management of fresh produce are summarised. Key areas where the use of new smart technologies can improve crop management are explored, starting with how environmental sensors can be integrated into internet of things (IoT) systems with potential for use in the fresh produce supply chain. The next section summarises how the implementation of low oxygen storage environments is being refined through the use of dynamic controlled atmosphere systems incorporating sensor technologies. Modified atmosphere packaging and the developing field of active and intelligent packaging for fresh produce is then discussed. The chapter ends with future options for how smart technologies may develop in this sector.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 734-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish Dave ◽  
Kanhaiya Singh ◽  
Arya Kumar ◽  
Sachin Kumar

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop knowledge management constructs comprising of KM processes and KM practices through marketing and sales to derive competitive advantage (CA) in the cement industry. Design/methodology/approach A thorough and detailed analysis of the literature was carried out to develop the measures for KM practices, KM processes and their impact on CA. A total of 65 variables affecting competitiveness in the form of questionnaire were developed. The questionnaire was administered through e-mail to 962 territory sales managers (TSM) and equivalent employed in the marketing and sales function of the cement organizations in India. A total of 121 valid and complete responses were received, representing a response rate of 12.6 percent. The factor analysis was carried out on the data collected to establish reliability and validity of the measures. Findings A total of seven constructs pertaining to knowledge management practices and processes and competitiveness that comprises of 65 variables have been developed. The statistical results establish that the constructs and the variables considered in the study are reliable and valid. Research limitations/implications The sample of respondents for developing constructs consisted of TSM and equivalent employed in the marketing and sales function of cement companies in India. Research scope can be enhanced in the future study by including middle and senior level managers in cement companies to better diagnose and understand perception of KM initiatives across different levels in the cement industry. The work can also be extended to incorporate inbound logistics and procurement that directly contributes to the overall value chain to have a holistic perspective. Practical implications The measures developed in this study would be effective management tools for the implementation of knowledge management initiatives in the marketing and sales function to ascertain their level of implementation and impact on the competitiveness. Originality/value This study is probably the first of its kind in India to provide KM measures combined for practices and processes to understand the relationship with competitiveness in cement companies pertaining to marketing and sales function. It provides valuable insights as a strategic tool for investing in KM initiatives.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaytana Morgan ◽  
Noureddine Benkeblia

Abstract In this study, we investigated the effects of two modified atmosphere packaging films [Osmolux (Osx) and Oriented PolyPropylene (OPP)] on the microbiological and the sensory qualities of ackee fruit (Blighia sapida Köenig) arils stored during eight days under two refrigerated temperatures, 5 ±1°C and 10 ±1°C. The control samples of ackee arils were packaged in a macro-perforated highdensity polypropylene film (MP). The results showed that mesophilic aerobic bacteria (MAB), yeasts and moulds were lower under OPP, although MAB of MP was lower at 5°C. At 10°C, the pH of the ackee arils stored in Osx and OPP did not vary significantly, but the pH ofMP showed an increase from 5.32 to 5.95 and 5.83 at 5°C and 10°C, respectively. Results also showed that under OPP, weight losses were lower and averaged 0.12%and 0.19%after eight days storage at 5°C and 10°C, respectively, while the sensory quality attributes were preserved up to six days. Conclusively, OPP showed better attributes for MAP storage of ackee arils under refrigerated temperatures, although none of the two films were effective to reduce the chilling injury after the eight days storage.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Abdelfattah ◽  
Susan R. Whitehead ◽  
Dumitru Macarisin ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Erik Burchard ◽  
...  

There is growing recognition of the role that the microbiome plays in the health and physiology of many plant species. However, considerably less research has been conducted on the postharvest microbiome of produce and the impact that postharvest processing may have on its composition. Here, amplicon sequencing was used to study the effect of washing, waxing, and low-temperature storage at 2 °C for six months on the bacterial and fungal communities of apple calyx-end, stem-end, and peel tissues. The results of the present work reveal that tissue-type is the main factor defining fungal and bacterial diversity and community composition on apple fruit. Both postharvest treatments and low temperature storage had a strong impact on the fungal and bacterial diversity and community composition of these tissue types. Distinct spatial and temporal changes in the composition and diversity of the microbiota were observed in response to various postharvest management practices. The greatest impact was attributed to sanitation practices with major differences among unwashed, washed and washed-waxed apples. The magnitude of the differences, however, was tissue-specific, with the greatest impact occurring on peel tissues. Temporally, the largest shift occurred during the first two months of low-temperature storage, although fungi were more affected by storage time than bacteria. In general, fungi and bacteria were impacted equally by sanitation practices, especially the epiphytic microflora of peel tissues. This research provides a foundation for understanding the impact of postharvest management practices on the microbiome of apple and its potential subsequent effects on postharvest disease management and food safety.


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