Postharvest horticulture in Nepal

Abstract

Nepal is a mountainous, small and landlocked country located in the South Asian Region situated in between India and China. Altitude varies from 60m above mean sea level to the highest peak of the world, Mount Everest 8848 meter (amsl). Agricultural cultivated land is 3091000 ha. Out of which approximately 8 percent is under horticultural crops. The country is divided into three physio-geographic zones namely terai an elevation of 60-300 masl; the hills with an elevation of 301-5000 amsl and mountains with an elevation above 5000 amsl, comprising 23 percent, 42 percent and 35 percent of the total land areas respectively. The horticultural crops like mango, banana, papaya, litchi, guava, pineapple, tomato, potato, radish, brinjal, okra, chilli, cauliflower, cabbage, cucurbits, taro, coconut and arecanut are grown successfully in the terai and mid-hills. Altitude from 600 to 1800 amsl are suitable for growing citrus, pear, peach, plum, persimum, tomato, potato, beans, sweet pepper, carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, turnip, leafy vegetables, coffee and tea. Similarly, apples, walnut, almond, carrot, cauliflower, cabbage, beans and potato are main horticultural crops of the high hills of Nepal. Much progress has been made in the production of fruits and vegetables. Conversely, postharvest losses of these commodities are very high as a result of inappropriate harvesting and handling practices. In Nepal, different studies have shown the postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables are 20-50% (Gautam and Bhattarai, 2012). Perishable natures of most horticultural commodities demand good postharvest technologies and knowledge. Proper postharvest handling is an additional or complementary method of solving food needs. We can feed more people without bringing an additional land under production.