ABSTRACT
The rough handling during harvest and preparation for the market contributes to the high volume of postharvest losses observed for vegetables. Postharvest losses of vegetables may be either in quantity, when food is not consumed but discarded, or in quality, when the sensory, nutritional or microbiological quality is reduced even when the food is suitable for consumption. In order to improve the infrastructure for harvest and post-harvest handling of vegetables in small farms, Embrapa Vegetables recommended a low cost working station made of three equipment: a tarp packing house; a wheelbarrow and a sorting table. These equipments contribute for the maintenance of the vegetable quality by reducing biotic and abiotic stresses (such as heat, dew, rain, mechanical damage) during harvest and post-harvest handling and consequently extends the shelf life and the time available for the farmer to market his product. Additional benefits are related to the rural worker health and the working efficiency. Benefits for the worker health include the reduction of exposure to the sun and reduction of work-related musculoskeletal disorders caused by heavy loads, repetitive movements and/or awkward positions. Higher working efficiency is due to the elimination of repetitive activities, less tiredness due to overloading of the musculoskeletal system, reduction of thermal discomfort and the possibility to keep working when it is raining.
Keywords:
Postharvest loss; vegetables; packing house; sorting table; wheelbarrow.
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