The solution is to prolong the storage life of the fruit through the use of appropriate post-harvest handling techniques. That, of course, is easier said than done: the technology must be specifically developed for each fruit commodity and often for each variety of commodities. And the application of new post-harvest techniques always requires new ways of management and new procedures.
Enter QASAF
That is where the Quality Assurance Systems for ASEAN Fruits (QASAF)-Fresh and Minimally Processed comes in. This project is supported by the ASEAN-Australia Economic Cooperation Programme (Phase III) and has been on stream since October 1996 with Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand as participants. Vietnam joined the project in 1997.
The project has since developed various methods to extend the storage life of the dragon fruit, the durian, the jackfruit, longan and the pineapple with minimal processing procedures. It has also developed a method to hasten and improve the uniformity of ripening mangoes. It has moreover gathered a body of data on the contaminants, pests and diseases found in fruits, using existing or newly developed methods. The project is also pursuing various research and development activities to produce quality assurance systems and commercially applicable technologies for fresh fruits.
Participating countries have conducted surveys in their respective national markets on demand, quality requirements and existing post-harvest procedures for selected fresh fruits. As a result of these surveys, the project acquired a database for each country for use in further research and development studies.
| NO | TITLE | VENUE/DATE |
| Regional Workshop | ||
1 |
A QA Leaders Workshop Understanding Quality Systems | Bangkok, 24-28 March 1997 |
2 |
Minimal Processing Workshop Minimal Processing of Fresh Fruits | Kuala Lumpur, 21-23 October 1997 |
3 |
A QA Leaders Workshop Food Safety for Minimal Processing of Fresh Fruits | Manila, 3-5 March 1998 |
| In-Country Workshop Meeting | ||
4 |
Workshop on Understanding Quality Systems | Brunei Darussalam, 20-21 August 1997 |
5 |
Workshop on Understanding Quality Systems | Jakarta, 25-26 August 1997 |
6 |
Workshop on Understanding Quality Systems | Singapore, 28-29 August 1997 |
7 |
Meeting of Development of Quality Plans | Brunei Darussalam, 16-20 September 1997 |
8 |
Meeting of Development of quality Plans | Denpasar, Indonesia, 27-31 October 1997 |
9 |
Meeting of Assessment of a Quality System | Singapore, 22-26 September 1997 |
10 |
Post-harvest Training Course | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 27 April-15 May 1998 |
11 |
Quality Planning Workshop | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,19-21 May 1998 |
12 |
Quality Planning Workshop | Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines, 26-29 May 1998 |
| Study Tour | ||
13 |
Study Tour: QA Systems for Post-harvest Handling and Marketing of tropical Fruits | Australia, 28 April-9 May 1997 |
Enhancing capabilities
Through regional and in-country workshops, Australian experts have introduced ASEAN scientists to modern technologies on quality assurance systems and food safety for minimal processing of fresh fruits. ASEAN scientists have also visited farms, packing houses and wholesalers in Australia to get a first-hand view of Australia's quality assurance systems, post-harvest handling and marketing of fresh fruits.
The project has also helped national laboratories throughout ASEAN improve their capability for carrying out research in post-harvest and minimal processing technology by providing them with modern research equipment appropriate to their stages of development and resources.
Because the project is region-wide, participating scientists are able to share their experiences and insights with one another.
The project is expected to expand marketing opportunities for selected tropical fruits in the region and lead to higher profits for fruit producers and processors.