poscosecha

Poscosecha, or postharvest, refers to the set of operations and technologies applied to agricultural produce after harvest to preserve quality, safety, and market value from the moment of pick until consumption. It covers fruits and vegetables, grains and tubers, and ornamental crops, and it intersects with processing, packaging, storage, and transport.

Key activities include harvest handling, cleaning and sanitization, sorting and grading, trimming, curing and drying when appropriate, waxing or other surface treatments, packaging, labeling, and loading for storage or shipment.

Storage and cooling: temperature and humidity control; maintaining the cold chain for perishables; advanced methods include controlled or modified atmosphere storage and hermetic packaging to slow respiration and reduce spoilage.

Challenges and losses: postharvest losses arise from physical damage, microbial spoilage, dehydration, sprouting, and pests; improper handling, inadequate cooling, inadequate sanitation, and long supply chains increase waste.

Impact and approaches: improving poscosecha reduces losses, improves food security, and supports farmers' incomes. Practices vary by crop and region but common strategies include rapid cooling after harvest, clean and sanitary handling, appropriate packaging and transport, affordable cold chains, and low-cost technologies such as evaporative cooling, solar drying, and hermetic storage bags.