About the Project

Rural farmers in SAARC countries earn little from fruit cultivation due to poor post-harvest handling and lack of value addition technologies. While large-scale commercial growers benefit from organized techniques, rural farmers struggle to generate significant income. The market is dominated by the organized private sector, reducing demand for fruits from rural farmers.

In Sri Lanka, the mango industry, controlled by private organizations, suffers from poor quality at the market due to inadequate harvesting, handling, transporting, and ripening techniques. Despite high-quality mango varieties, consumers do not receive these fruits. Value addition technologies exist, but products face low demand due to limited competitiveness.

The SAARC Development Fund (SDF) has partnered with relevant agencies and stakeholders to enhance post-harvest and value-addition initiatives.

In Bhutan, poor handling practices, limited post-harvest management, and market access barriers deteriorate fruit and vegetable quality before reaching the market or processing industry. Post-harvest losses for fruits like mandarin and apple are about 55% and 67%, respectively, due to inadequate cold chains and storage.

Strategic post-harvest practices and infrastructure are critical. The SDF has partnered with the post-harvest center to support a 300-Metric Ton cold storage facility at the Food Corporation of Bhutan Ltd. (FCBL) in Phuentsholing, benefiting nearby districts. This is part of a Nu 30 million grant to Bhutan’s Agriculture Ministry for the project aimed at reducing post-harvest losses by at least 25%, improving fruit quality, preserving nutrients, and ensuring better prices for farmers.

The project also supports the introduction of basic post-harvest practices and technology, utilizing cold storage facilities. FCBL officials reported that these services help farmers attain higher revenues from their harvest. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the cold storage proved useful, allowing farmers and suppliers to store and supply their produce, minimizing losses.

Participating Countries: 

Phase I- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka (India and Maldives to join in phase II) 

Objectives:

• To identify and share the knowledge on post-harvest and fruit processing technologies across the SAARC countries.
• To adapt, evaluate and disseminate post-harvest, processing and value addition technologies for fruits in SAARC countries.
• To establish post-harvest infrastructure and value addition in production catchments of fruits in SAARC countries.
• To develop effective marketing linkages of processed products in SAARC countries.  
• To assess the impact of adapted technological packages at project sites.
• To ensure product quality and safety in the adoption of package of technologies. 

Major Activities:

• Adaptation of appropriate technology
• Infrastructure
• Equipment and Consumables
• Capacity Building
• Market Linkage

Expected Outcome(s)/benefits:

• Reduction in post-harvest losses by 25 % of existing losses.
• Improvement in quality of fruits.
• Realization of better prices by the farmers.
• Generation of employment and enhancement in income through introduction and adoption of appropriate post-harvest management and value addition technologies/infrastructure in production catchments in participating countries.

Start Date: 1-Jan-2013

Project budget:  US $ 4,979,075.00

Status: Closed/Completed