A Case Study on Postharvest Handling Practices of Mango Fruits in Selected Areas of Myanmar

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most popular fruits in tropical countries. The postharvest losses of mango fruits in developing countries are still high and facing the economic loss. Myanmar mango is harvested only once a year, there is often an oversupply which leads to low prices and product losses at harvest time. This study was conducted to investigate the existing handling practices and to identify the losses concerned with the major problems facing the handling of mango in selected areas during mango season of May 2017. A total of 120 respondents from mango growers of Mandalay and Sagaing regions were randomly selected and interviewed using structured questionnaires. The total loss of 32%- 52% of mango fruits were observed during postharvest handling and transportation due to poor transportation infrastructure and bad road conditions in production sites. The temporary transportation was used trailer which is driven by motorbike for local market and ten-wheeled truck without cooling system was used for export market. The loss in harvesting stage was 10-20% responded by the growers due to the harvesting tool and which was picking the fruit with a long bamboo-hook or ladder to reach the high plant. Thus, postharvest losses of mango fruit were the highest percent in study areas. Currently, mango growers were directly sent to local wholesale and China border markets by non-refrigerated truck. No collective bargaining takes place on the price and each farmer interacts individually with the brokers or buyers by receiving market price. The 79% of mango growers were commonly practiced for temporary bulk package of bamboo basket followed by the use of plastic crate of 15% from the farm site to destined markets All growers mostly and currently used the packaging style of individual fruit wrapping by paper in plastic crate for export market. One of the major constraints is the scarcity of labor in mango season by the results of 73% responded by the mango growers. Regarding the perception of growers, more than 50% of respondents have knowledge and experiences on postharvest handling managements, however, trainings on systematic handling practices among the stakeholders were still needed to reduce the losses.