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Postharvest
biology and technology research and development initiatives
for Nigeria
Simon Verlumun Irtwange
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering,
University of Agriculture, Makurdi. E-mail:
svirtwange@yahoo.com.
Tel: +234-803-5885567.
Accepted 16 July, 2008 |
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This paper presents summaries and major
recommendations of ten published technical papers by the
author in the field of post harvest biology and technology,
which answers to developmental challenges that will bring
fundamental changes to society, including job creation and
poverty reduction through creation of wealth and desirable
opportunities. These papers are in the areas of developments
in 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) post harvest technology
research for fruits, vegetables, fresh-cut produce and
ornamental products. The challenges of the Euro-Retailer
Produce for Good Agricultural Practice (EUREPGAP®)
benchmarks in areas of traceability, records keeping,
varieties and rootstocks, site, soils, fertilizer use,
irrigation, fertigation, crop protection, harvest, post
harvest and Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) issues. The
applications of biological control agents in pre- and
post-harvest operations and modified atmosphere packaging
and related technology in post harvest handling of fresh
fruits and vegetables, in addition to the use of hot water
treatment as a non-chemical alternative in keeping quality
during post harvest handling of citrus fruits. Methods of
keeping freshness in fresh-cut horticultural produce, and
finally the maturity, quality and marketing of fruits and
vegetables. All these publications present unique
opportunities for research and development initiatives for
Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.
Key words:
Post-harvest, biotechnology, research, development, Nigeria. |
