Post-Harvest Training for Vegetable Producers in Guyana

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Mr. Mauricio Rodriguez traveIed to Guyana for two weeks between April and May 2019 to train farmers in postharvest handling, the use of the cold chain, and packinghouse design for each host facility. Mr. Rodriguez holds a Master of Science in horticulture from the University of California, Davis and he most recently worked as a technical coordinator for the Global Cold Chain Alliance.

During the assignment, Mr. Rodriguez visited seed nurseries, shade-house growers using elevated tables, vegetable producers using large boxes, and herb producers using hydroponics systems. He also visited supermarkets selling fresh products from the program growers. He trained the beneficiaries in how to mitigate the effects of high temperatures on produce using different low-cost alternatives for precooling. The volunteer made specific recommendations to each producer visited, for example how to precool the product before packing it to avoid water condensation on the inside of the container that can potentially onset microbiological infections during the distribution and sales processes.


Mr. Rodriguez also made informal presentations in front of two agriculture cooperative groups and conducted formal training sessions with extension and field staff from the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). Finally, he trained two local producers interested in investing in a cooling facility. The volunteer showed them a brief analysis of the costs involved in the construction of these facilities, the cost/benefit analysis of size and power, and different low-cost alternatives for precooling and mobile precooling.

Thanks to Mr. Rodriguez’ work, Guyanese vegetable producers are now more knowledgeable about postharvest management techniques and the maintenance of the cold chain when transporting, harvesting, storing, and packing their produce. This deeper knowledge by the different actors in the value chain should increase the quality of the products, reduce waste, and ultimately increase producers' incomes.




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