Towards Sustainable Postharvest Management of Mangoes in Sri Lanka; Evaluating Current Practices, Latest Research, and Future Interventions

Purpose: This research aims to examine the sustainable postharvest management of mangoes in Sri Lanka, identifying the gap between current practices and recommended practices, and exploring future perspectives through recent discoveries in the field of mango postharvest management in the country.
Research Method: A Literature review was employed to gather information and insights.
Findings: The study reveals a significant disparity between the recommended postharvest handling practices and the methods currently practiced in Sri Lanka. The identified gaps encompass inadequate preharvest strategies, inappropriate harvesting practices, insufficient disease prevention measures in field operations, limited use of treatments at packhouses, questionable ripening protocols, and problematic transportation practices. Although many innovative research studies have been conducted in Sri Lanka to control postharvest losses, many of them were halted at the primary level, without follow-up, application of findings on a commercial scale, or implementation of recommendations.
Research Limitations: The main focus is only on the mango value chain in Sri Lanka and there is limited published information on mango postharvest management in Sri Lanka.
Value: This research highlights the value of addressing postharvest losses in mangoes, providing insights into the gap between recommended and practiced methods in Sri Lanka. It serves as a case study for countries facing similar challenges, promoting the dissemination of knowledge and fostering sustainable mango value chains globally.