Penulis: Alamanda Katartika Fahri (NPM 2434171010) dan Darwin H. Pangaribuan (NIDN 0013016302), Mahasiswa Pascasarjana dan Dosen Jurusan Agronomi Hortikultura, Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Lampung
"Effective management practices following harvest are essential for maintaining the quality, safety, and economic value of pineapples"
Introduction
Post-harvest management plays a pivotal role in modern agriculture, particularly in the production of pineapples that are one of the most sought-after tropical commodities globally. Effective management practices following harvest are essential for maintaining the quality, safety, and economic value of pineapples. This paper aims to review existing literature on post-harvest management related to pineapples for identifying and exploring best practices that farmers can adopt to enhance sustainability and profitability.
The significance of post-harvest management becomes evident when considering the high perishability of pineapples which can lead to substantial losses if not handled properly. Moreover, sustainability in post-harvest management is becoming increasingly important in light of global environmental concerns. As consumer preferences shift toward environmentally friendly practices. It is essential for producers to adopt sustainable approaches that minimize waste and resource consumption. This paper will address how integrating sustainable practices into post-harvest management can benefit both the environment and the economic viability of pineapple farming.
This literature review aims to provide comprehensive insights into the current state of post-harvest management for pineapples. The paper intends to inform practitioners about effective techniques and strategies that not only enhance product quality but also align with sustainability goals by synthesizing existing research. The findings will contribute to the ongoing discourse on improving post-harvest systems in pineapple production, promoting a more resilient and sustainable agricultural framework.
Role of Post-Harvest Handling in Quality Preservation
Post-harvest handling is critical in maintaining the quality of pineapples, a perishable crop that is sensitive to handling practices. Research by Kumar et al. (2020) emphasizes that systematic approaches to washing, sorting, and packaging can significantly reduce physical damage and microbial contamination. Their findings indicate that effective handling to preserves the visual and nutritional qualities of the fruit and also enhances its marketability. Improved handling practices contribute to a reduction in post-harvest losses that aligning with sustainable agriculture goals by maximizing resource use efficiency and minimizing waste.
Role of Temperature Control in Shelf Life Extension
Temperature control is fundamental for extending the shelf life of pineapples post-harvest. Zhang et al. (2019) highlighted that maintaining optimal storage temperatures can drastically slow down respiration rates and decay processes. Their research shows that employing technologies such as refrigerated storage and controlled atmosphere packaging can significantly enhance fruit longevity and quality. This approach not only meets consumer demands for fresh produce but also aligns with sustainable agricultural practices by reducing spoilage and resource waste throughout the supply chain.
Role of Sustainable Practices in Reducing Post-Harvest Losses
Integrating sustainable practices into post-harvest management is vital for minimizing losses and environmental impacts. Smith and Jones (2021) reported that the benefits of using biodegradable packaging and organic waste recycling in the pineapple supply chain. Their study illustrates that protect fruit during transportation and mitigate environmental pollution associated with plastic waste. Producers can enhance their economic resilience while contributing to broader sustainability goals in agriculture by adopting sustainable post-harvest strategies
