Postharvest Interventions for Sustainable Development of the Horticulture Sector in Lesser Developed Countries

Significant development of the non-traditional agriculture export sector has occurred in many lesser-developed countries during the last several decades. High-value horticultural crops have been at the forefront of this sustained economic growth activity. Constraints to product quality have been overcome by training, technical assistance, and improved postharvest technology introductions which have facilitated the arrival of consistent supplies of high quality products in the destination markets. Postharvest technology interventions have been a catalyst to the development of many individual fruit, vegetable, and cut flower sectors in countries not previously involved in horticulture crop export. Specific postharvest technology introductions necessary for international market competiveness and sustained horticulture industry growth will be presented. Individual crop and postharvest technologies will be reviewed to include a diversity of temperate and tropical fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers in multiple regions of the world.