Evaluation of the Post Harvest Handling Of Mango Fruit (Mangifera indica L.) In The Akwapim-South, Dangme-West, Lower Manya and the Yilo Krobo Districts of Ghana

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Date
2013
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Abstract
Ghana as a tropical country has a great potential for the growth and development of the mango industry. There are many problems facing the mango industry, especially, the post harvest handling of the fruits. A study was set up in the Akuapem-South , Dangme-West , Lower Manya and YiloKrobo Districts of Ghana to evaluate the postharvest handling practices of mango and how they affect the fruits and to identify the major postharvest problems handlers in the industry are facing .In this study ,information was sought from mango farmers ,fruit sellers , processors, exporters, officials from Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and Ghana Export Promotion Export (GEPC) through questionnaires, interviews, field study , and observation .The best postharvest handling practices that could maintain and enhance the quality of the mango fruits were used as parameters .The parameters used were harvesting and maturity indices used for harvesting , sorting and grading , packaging , transportation , storage ,processing , postharvest diseases and pests , sanitation practices and technologies used to extend the shelf-life of mangoes. It was realized from the study that the handlers, especially ,the farmers had received some support and training from the Ministry of Food Agriculture and Non-Governmental Organizations but the emphasis had been on the pre-harvest handling of the crop .The fruit sellers had not received any form of training. The major problems that handlers had been encountering include inadequate and unskilled labour for harvesting , high incidence , pests and diseases , lack of cold storage facilities , mechanical injuries due to improper handling , bad road network , inappropriate transport , poor packaging , and few processing plants . These identified problems , if properly addressed as has been recommended in the study could enhance the quality and quantity of mango fruits offered for sale at the market.
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A Thesis Submitted to the Institute of Distance Learning, Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Post Harvest Technology
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