Assessment of the Potential to Improve Pre- and Post-harvest Processes in Mango Production in Southern Shan State, Myanmar

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) plays a central role among horticultural fruit crops in Myanmar and is believed to have a potential on high value in international markets. The aim of the study was to assess the status quo of current pre- and post-harvesting processes in mango orchards in the Shan State, Myanmar, and the potentials for their improvement. An exploratory research approach was applied, drawing on a quantitative research among 114 mango farmers in 7 mango growing zones in the Shan State, Myanmar. The quantitative baseline data was analyzed using standard statistical methods (frequency, mean and dispersion of scores). Additionally, five semi-structured interviews have been conducted to allow a better contextual understanding of the various aspects of mango production and challenges in the Shan State. The results indicated that in spite of advanced orchard management techniques in the Shan State, improving fruit quality and amount of marketable fruits requires providing knowledge and training on pre-harvest management techniques such as fertilization, irrigation and insect and pest management. Moreover, the availability of inputs and technology needs to be improved. Post-harvest handling of mangos is presently at an early stage of development resulting in high post-harvest losses. However, as farmers have a strong interest in exporting, installing full packing-house sequences or as intermediate solution, hygienic field packing houses, are an important precondition to maintain mango quality after harvest.