Horticultural Chain Management for Eastern and Southern Africa
A Theoretical Manual

Horticultural Chain Management for Eastern and Southern Africa is a two-volume work designed to help trainers develop suitable materials to assist small farmers and producers to supply high quality horticultural produce for sale.
This Theoretical Manual takes trainers through a step by step approach of progressive learning. It provides the trainer with a platform of information that can be used to design and tailor-make courses applicable to the context in their respective countries. Each section is concisely presented in a modular format and is followed by or linked to a practical exercise. On completion of each section, participants are required to share information assimilated during a plenary discussion session. Participants must also apply the knowledge acquired through practical experiments or tasks.
Throughout the theoretical manual, references have been listed that provide additional sources of information. Trainers should consult new information to ensure that they stay up to date with the latest trends and continuously improve and adapt the training materials. Many of the web resources cited are continuously updated and represent an excellent source of basic information that can be used for tailoring courses to the needs of a target audience. Appendices have also been compiled to provide additional background for the trainer.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Acronyms
SECTION I. Organisation, Planning and Effective Delivery of the Training Programme
Module 1: Background to the Training Package
Module 2: Preparing for the Training Programme
Module 3: Implementing the Training Programme
Module 4: Measuring the Effectiveness of the Training Programme
Module 5: Wrapping up the Training Programme
SECTION II. Current Trends and their Implications for Horticultural Chain Management
Module 1: Global Trends
Module 2: Consumer Trends
SECTION III. Organisational Strategies to Enhance Competitiveness in Horticultural Chains
Module 1: Understanding Modern Horticultural Supply Chains
Module 2: Integration of Small Farmers into Horticultural Chains
Module 3: Traditional and Modern Marketing Channels for Horticultural Produce in the Region
SECTION IV. Horticultural Produce Quality
Module 1: Quality
Module 2: Technical Dimensions of Horticultural Chain Management to Assure Quality
SECTION V. Quality Impact Factors in Horticultural Supply Chains
Module 1: Physiological Factors
Module 2: Microbiological Factors
Module 3: Agricultural Inputs and Practices
Module 4: Insect Pests
Module 5: Processing Water
SECTION VI. Handling Operations to Assure Quality Maintenance in Horticultural Chains
Module 1: Assessment of Maturity
Module 2: Harvesting
Module 3: Pack-line Operations
Module 4: Pre-cooling Operations
Module 5: Packing and Packaging of Fresh Produce
Module 6: Specialised Treatments to Improve Quality
SECTION VII. Quality Maintenance during Storage and Transit
Module 1: Maintaining Fresh Produce Quality during Cold Storage
Module 2: Maintaining Fresh Produce Quality during Transit
SECTION VIII. Effective Monitoring in Horticultural Supply Chains
Module 1: Traceability
SECTION IX. Logistical Operations in Horticultural Chains
Module 1: Logistical Operations
SECTION X. Infrastructural Support Systems for Horticultural Chains
Module 1: Transport Systems
Module 2: Pack Houses
Module 3: Cold Storage
SECTION XI. Good Practice for Quality Maintenance in Selected Horticultural Supply Chains
Module 1: Good Practice in Mango Supply Chains
Module 2: Good Practice in Sweet Pepper Supply Chains
APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Important International Bodies in Global Trade
Appendix 2: Maximum Residue Limits
Appendix 3: Voluntary Standards, Schemes and Codes
About the contributors
Dharini Sivakumar (Author)
Dr Dharini Sivakumar works at the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.Divine Njie (Author)
Dr Divine Njie works in the Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations Rome, Italy.Hester Vermulen (Author)
Hester Vermulen, University of Pretoria, South Africa.Lise Korsten (Author)
Professor Lise Korsten is Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.Rosa Rolle (Author)
Dr Rosa Rolle is an Agricultural Industries Officer in the Agricultural Support Systems Division of the FAO, in Rome, Italy.Reviews
‘Clear and straightforward, this manual can help trainers organise their workshops in a logical and complete way.’
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