Harvesting: Once the quality crop is produced, it should be harvested with great care for marketing as shown in Plate 4. The goals of harvesting systems are:
a) To gather the commodity from the field at proper stage of maturity.
b) With a minimum amount of damage and losses.
c) In a cost effective way.
Method of Harvesting: Harvesting of crops can be done manually or mechanically.
i) Hand Harvesting: Usually done for fruits destined for fresh markets.
Primary Advantages
• Harvesting of fruit or vegetable can be done at appropriate maturity.
• The produce will suffer minimum damage.
Disadvantages
• It is a time consuming process.
• More labour is required during harvesting season.
11Plate