Green Farming partners FloraHolland, FloraLife and DLV Plant have developed a protocol for post-harvest management in the East African flower sector.
The protocol was officially launched during a seminar for the Ethiopian sector themed “Optimizing Post-harvest Management in Ethiopian Horticulture” that was held in Addis Ababa this week (September 17th, 2013)
The protocol’s brochure was officially handed over by Green Farming Chairman Mr Harm Maters to the Executive Director of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA), Ato Tewodros.
The main objective of the Green Farming Post-harvest Protocol is to improve the vaselife of roses by optimizing all components of the post-harvest phase. The three main steps of the protocol include detailed information on:
- Initial flower quality; the initial conditions of the flowers at the moment they are harvested.
- Water quality, hygiene standards and post-harvest treatment.
- Post-harvest quality management, including post-harvest handling and cold chain management.
The Protocol has been developed in close cooperation with 4 Ethiopian flower farms based on trials and a continuous quality feedback process. The Protocol can be used by the East African flower sector as a set of tools to develop a sustainable and competitive position within the global market.
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producers and Exporters Association and Green Farming project partners FloraHolland, FloraLife and DLV Plant are looking into opportunities for roll-out of the project to other Ethiopian flower farms.
The event was attended by Ethiopian growers, representatives of the Agricultural Transformation Agency, the Ethiopian Horticulture Development Agency, logistic service providers and the Agricultural Counselor of the Netherlands Embassy.
The Post-harvest Protocol can be downloaded from www.greenfarming.nl.
