Strategy for revitalizing post-harvest handling system to improve the competitivess of indonesian horticultural products

Abstract

The aim of post harvest handling development is to improve product competitiveness through improving added value, decreasing yield losses and improving quality that will also increase the income of growers accordingly. At least 20% losses is occurred in developing countries due to poor post harvest handling implementation. Thus could be occurred due to the factors involved, i.e. physical activities, institutions and policies which have not been well integrated yet that cause to unreadiness to face an evolving market situation. The increasing of market demand for horticultural products particularly exotic tropical fruits doesn’t always create positive impact for Indonesian products due to more strict quality requirements both from international and local consumers, market competition and product’s forms diversification demand. Agricultural products certification schemes are now a compulsory requirement from international markets to convince that the producing activities are environmental friendly; have traceability; implementing good agricultural practices; concerning on workers health, welfare and safety that produces safe to eat products. Government with all actors involved in horticultural business and industry must prepare immediately to compete with others countries and supply products needed to meet consumers demand. This paper was objected to provide ideas related to what strategy in order to improve post harvest handling system of horticulture in Indonesia through analysis of Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT). Based on the analysis, strategy need to be implemented is to revitalize the post harvest handling of horticulture that can be obtained through: (i) accelerating technology diffusion and post harvest management; (ii) improving and strengthening infrastructures facilities on post harvest handling system to meet the requirement of global and regional certification; (iii) provision of incentives to producer (supplier) who implement good post harvest handling activities; (iv) improving human resource capacity and skills in the application of good post harvest handling and standardization system; (v) strengthening postharvest institutions and networks in supply chain establishment; (vi) socialization, assistance and supervision in the implementation of standardized systems for strengthening quality management.