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9 The systems approach: From stored product protection to integrated post-harvest management

The measures presented in section 3 were primarily oriented to storage and stored product protection. Technical aspects dominated the selection of issues to be addressed. As a result, the available economic appraisals are largely tailored to this approach. However, towards the end of the 1980s the understanding gained ground that sustainable solutions to post-harvest problems can only be found if greater consideration is given to socio-cultural and socio-economic circumstances.

The study carried out by Albert (1992) explicitly notes the necessity of a holistic approach. Albert proceeded from the small-scale farmer system, but also included higher-level systems in the study.

This systems approach largely tallies with the efforts of important institutions, such as FAO, the Group for Assistance on Systems Relating to Grain After Harvest (GASGA) and the GTZ. The work of these organizations has recently centred on complete post-harvest systems that take all influencing factors into consideration, starting with arable farming measures through to processing or consumption. This perspective permits a move away from the conventional, specialized approach and towards an analysis of critical points that is open to all sides.

The approach aims for an integrated post-harvest management in which solutions are derived from the prevailing social, cultural, economic and technical constraints, not from the available methods or techniques. In this endeavour, a participatory procedure in both the analysis of the problems and in the development of solutions is the first prerequisite to improving the acceptance of innovations among the target group. The long-term goal of this approach is to further improve the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of technical cooperation measures in the post-harvest sector.

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