Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (LACAD)

Project Code: 110-599-007	Start Date: 18-Feb-88	End Date: No End Date
Commitment: £3,265	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Objectives:
In March 1988 Ms Proctor (NRI) visited the Fundacion Hondurena de Investigacion Agricola (FHIA), La Lima, Honduras to discuss future long term TC requirements in postharvest physiology of fruit and vegetables. Resulting from this mission, Dr Medlicott commenced a long term TC funded assignment. The UK TC contract to provide Dr Medlicott is commissioned through Fintrac Technical Services, Solihull UK. The wider objectives of the project are to increase and diversify horticultural crop production and exports from Central America, specifically Honduras, and to reduce food loss. The immediate objectives are to maintain and increase exports through improved and/or assured quality of fruit and vegetables to increase the value of genetic resource collection of banana and plantain through screening of postharvest characteristics to improve availability and quality of fruit and vegetables at local level. The duties of the physiologist will be: a) Facilitate the establishment of a laboratory to enable the postharvest physiology of fruit and vegetables, product quality monitoring and adaptive research and development work in postharvest technology b) analyse the postharvest system for major diversification crops, consider post harvest implications for the development of new diversification crops and develop a long term strategy work plan for the Post Harvest Physiology Department c) Establish and undertake a programme of research in Post Harvest Physiology in support of current priorities within FHIA and in line with the strategy developed in b) above d) Establish, with the Banana and Plantain Improvement Programme, a rapid screening process for the appraisal of Post Harvest fruit characteristics of lines and cultivars developed e) provide technical information to the industry in Post Harvest Technology including training of key personnel in the public and private sectors f) train technical and professional staff at FHIA in post harvest physiology and technology.

Intended Outputs:
Quarterly Reports. R1636(R) Established Post Harvest Fruit and Vegetable department at FHIA Trained personnel Integrated and sustainable programme of research, development and technology transfer established Methods of genetic resource screening of banana and plantain developed Technical information packages developed Training programmes for industry