2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Access to cooling and packing facilities is a major limitation for many fresh fruit and vegetable farming enterprises in developing countries including Tanzania. Farmers in Tanzania experience a postharvest loss of 20% to 50% due to poor handling practices and limited availability of packing and cooling facilities. Improper handling practices increase postharvest losses and reduce compliance with quality and safety requirements. Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Kansas State University (KSU) and the University of Florida (UF) are funded from USAID Horticulture Innovation Lab (UC Davis) to build capacity in produce postharvest management in Tanzania. Through this project we designed and established an affordable mini pack house at SUA from used marine shipping containers. The mini pack house consists of 3 shipping containers (2.43 m width (W) x 2.59 m height (H) x 12.2 m length (L), each container has a specific function: receiving, packaging and cooling zone. The cooling zone is divided into two cold rooms (2.43 m (W) x 2.59 m (H) x 6.1 m (L), made by partitioning one of the containers using insulated panels (closed cell foam) with easily cleanable surfaces. Walls and ceiling of the cold rooms were insulated with panels and the floor in all containers installed with Tarazo. Access doors and an 18,000 BTU air conditioner fitted with a Coolbot system were installed in each cold room. The two cold rooms can be set independently to facilitate the different temperature needs for the fresh commodities. The total estimated cost for the mini pack house unit was $8,150, excluding the cost of purchasing the containers, plumbing work, and electricity installation. Since establishment (May, 2018), the unit has been used to train farmers, traders, and SUA undergraduate and graduate students on the best postharvest handling of fruits and vegetables. A total of 86 BSc. Horticulture students taking the postharvest physiology and management class, 60 trainers, and over 100 farmers have been trained. The unit has attracted a number of stakeholders and is now serving as model for dissemination of practical knowledge and skills on postharvest handling of fresh horticultural crops in the country