PH research should not be limited to storage conditions but also to market requirements, breeding and
cultivation circumstances. Rather than concentrating on isolated topics such as storage technology, an
emphasis on the whole PH system can help identify bottlenecks and constraints, and increase the
impact of research in each area. This systems approach has led research and assistance organizations
to try to characterize existing PH chains in some DC. Additionally, domestic and international
marketing services need to be strengthened, especially to improve market access for smaller and
marginal producers. The growing importance of environmental concerns also presents opportunities
and challenges for PH research in DC.