Annex 1 - Example questionnaires for commodity system components

Component 01 - Relative importance of crop
Component 02 - Public sector policies
Component 03 - Relevant institutions
Component 04 - Facilitating services
Component 05 - Farmer organizations
Component 06 - Environmental requirements and constraints
Component 07 - Availability of seeds and planting materials
Component 08 - Farmers' cultural practices
Component 09 - Pests and diseases
Component 10 - Preharvest treatments
Component 11 - Production and marketing costs
Component 12 - Crop harvest
Component 13-A - Selection
Component 13-B - Sizing and grading
Component 13-C - Inspection
Component 14 - Postharvest chemical and physical treatments
Component 15 - Packaging
Component 16 - Cooling
Component 17 - Storage
Component 18 - Transport
Component 19 - Delays or waiting
Component 20 - Other operations
Component 21 - Agroprocessing
Component 22 - Marketing intermediaries
Component 23 - Market information
Component 24 - Consumer demand
Component 25 - Exports
Component 26 - Postharvest and marketing costs

Component 01 - Relative importance of crop

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:________________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ________________________

1. Overall agriculture setting:
Total national land area: ________________(sq mi, acres, ha)
Area suitable for agriculture: _________________(sq mi, acres, ha)

Marginal land area:

Steepland _______________________________
Deep peat _______________________________
Acid sulphate ____________________________
Marsh land ______________________________
Salty soils _______________________________
Others (specify)___________________________

2. Area (ha, acres) suitable for cultivation of crop group, e.g., fruit cultivation:__________
________________________________________________________________________
Area (ha, acres) suitable for specific crop cultivation, e.g., starfruit cultivation: _________
________________________________________________________________________

3. Common Name: ________________________________________________________
Scientific Name: __________________________________________________________
Commercial Clones:

1.____________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________

4. Total crop area planted and level of production for the past five years.

Year	Hectares	Production
_________	___________________________	_______________________________
_________	___________________________	_______________________________
_________	___________________________	_______________________________
_________	___________________________	_______________________________

5. Projected hectarage cultivated and expected level of production for the next five years (based on normal growth trend).

Year	Hectares	Production
_________	___________________________	_______________________________
_________	___________________________	_______________________________
_________	___________________________	_______________________________
_________	___________________________	_______________________________

6. Major producing areas and estimated hecterage:

Region/location	Hectares	Production
a. _______________________	_______________________	_______________________
b. _______________________	_______________________	_______________________
c. _______________________	_______________________	_______________________

7. Import/Export information for the last five years:

Year	Export		Import
	Quantity	Value	Quantity	Value
_______	_____________	____________	_____________	_____________
_______	_____________	____________	_____________	_____________
_______	_____________	____________	_____________	_____________
_______	_____________	____________	_____________	_____________

8. Is this crop given priority in the National Development Plan?

yes ( ) no ( )

9. If no, why not? ________________________________________________________

10. If yes, what are the criteria for selection?

( ) food security	( ) export potential	( ) income generation
( ) market demand	( ) employment	( ) marginal land use
( ) others (specify): ___________________________________

11. If the crop is for export, what are the country's major comparative advantages in production and export?

( ) low production costs	( ) high quality product	( ) low transport costs
( ) fruit fly-free zones	( ) few pest/disease problems
( ) others (specify): ____________________________________________________

12. Observations:________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

13. Summary of problems identified which may affect production, processing, postharvest handling or marketing of crop:

1.
2.
3.
4.

Component 02 - Public sector policies

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:________________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ________________________

1. Policies and strategies: Identify and describe existing governmental policies and strategies which directly or indirectly affect the production and/or marketing of this product or groups of products.

Policies:__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

Strategies used for implementation of policies:____________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

2. Projects: Identify and describe existing or planned projects which will impact on the production, processing, postharvest handling and/or marketing of this product._____________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

3. Incentives/Disincentives: Identify and describe any existing or in-pipeline incentives or d disincentives which favor the production, processing, postharvest handling or marketing of this crop.

Incentive	Relevant institution	Brief description of incentive
________________________	________________________	________________________
________________________	________________________	________________________
________________________	________________________	________________________

Disincentive

________________________	________________________	________________________
________________________	________________________	________________________

4. Are national production goals established for this commodity?

yes ( ) no ( )

If yes, what are they:__________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

5. Which policy or policies most strongly impact the crop production system, to what degree, and why?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

6. Do any of the policies/strategies impact the postharvest losses?

Yes ( ) no ( )

Explain:_____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

7. Summary of problems identified which may impact production, processing, postharvest handling or marketing of crop.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Component 03 - Relevant institutions

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:________________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ________________________

1. Institutions responsible for planning:

Ministry	Department or Unit	Responsibilities
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________

2. Institutions involved in production system:

Ministry	Department or Unit	Responsibilities
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________

3. Institutions involved in processing of product:

Ministry	Department or Unit	Responsibilities
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________

4. Institutions involved in postharvest handling and/or marketing of crop:

Ministry	Department or Unit	Responsibilities
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________

5. Institutions responsible for research:

Ministry/University	Department or Unit	Type of research
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________
_____________________	______________	___________________________

6. Private sector institutions/organizations involved with crop:

Name	Functions or actions
____________________	___________________________
____________________	___________________________
____________________	___________________________

7. Other ministries/departments directly or indirectly involved in the development of crop:

Ministry/Department	Responsibility or functions
_________________________	_________________________
_________________________	_________________________
_________________________	_________________________
_________________________	_________________________

8. Identify the coordinating body, if any, responsible for the development of the crop industry and describe its function: Name of coordinating body:__________________________________

Functions

a. ______________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________________

9. Indicate level of coordination of the various institutional activities:

	Well coordinated	Satisfactory	Poorly coordinated
Planning	( )	( )	( )
Production	( )	( )	( )
Processing	( )	( )	( )
Marketing	( )	( )	( )
Research	( )	( )	( )

10. Summary of key public and private sector institutions for the development of the crop industry:

Name of institution, unit, department, or organization	Principal constraints
________________________	________________________
________________________	________________________
________________________	________________________

Component 04 - Facilitating services

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:________________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ________________________

1. Transportation:

a. Farm accessibility (road conditions)
( )good ( )acceptable ( )poor
Observations:________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

b. Availability of vehicles for:

	Good	Acceptable	Poor
- Production inputs	( )	( )	( )
- Farm to packinghouse	( )	( )	( )
- Farm to market	( )	( )	( )
- Packinghouse to wholesaler	( )	( )	( )
- Packinghouse to port	( )	( )	( )
- Export: air shipments	( )	( )	( )
- Export: see shipments	( )	( )	( )

c. Describe priority constraints affecting transportation:

1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________

2. Information (info):

	Production		Postharvest		Markets		Prices
	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Institutional info available?	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
Sufficient for decision making?	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )	( )
Sources of institutional info?	_________		_________		_________		_________
	_________		_________		_________		_________
Other sources of information?	_________		_________		_________		_________
	_________		_________		_________		_________
Describe priority constraints related to information:
____________________________________________________________________

3. Credit:

				Sufficient
Sources	Type of collateral required	Interest rate	Limits of credit	Yes	No
___________	___________	___________	___________	( )	( )
___________	___________	___________	___________	( )	( )
___________	___________	___________	___________	( )	( )

Describe constraints with respect to credit:

a. ______________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________

4. Farm inputs:

Types of farm input	Available when needed		Principal source of input
	Yes	No
- fertilizers	( )	( )	_________________
- chemicals	( )	( )	_________________
- tools	( )	( )	_________________
- irrigation equipment	( )	( )	_________________
- natural pesticides	( )	( )	_________________
- others____________	( )	( )	_________________

Describe constraints related to supply of farm inputs:

a. ______________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________

5. Technical assistance (TA):

	TA is available			TA is sufficient
Operation	Yes	No	Source of TA	Yes	No
Production	( )	( )	__________	( )	( )
Postharvest	( )	( )	__________	( )	( )
Marketing	( )	( )	__________	( )	( )
Processing	( )	( )	__________	( )	( )

Describe constraints with respect to technical assistance:

a. ______________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________

6. Postharvest facilities:

		Is capacity sufficient?		Is service efficient?
	Owner/Operator	Yes	No	Yes	No
Cold room	_____________	( )	( )	( )	( )
Packinghouse	_____________	( )	( )	( )	( )
Refrigerated truck	_____________	( )	( )	( )	( )
Others (specify)	_____________	( )	( )	( )	( )

7. Describe constraints with respect to postharvest facilities:

a. ______________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________

8. Identify and describe any other existing or needed services or infrastructure relevant to the production, processing, postharvest handling, or marketing of the crop in question:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Component 05 - Farmer organizations

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:________________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ________________________

1. Identify the active farmer organizations involved with the production or marketing of the crop. For each organization identified, provide the following information:

a. Name of organization:_______________________________________________

b. Name of key person:________________________________________________

c. Location, address:__________________________________________________

d. Number of active members:___________________________________________

e. Types of commodities handled:________________________________________

f. Services offered to members, e.g., information, technical assistance, credit, transport, storage, grading of produce, farm input, supply, marketing, etc.:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

g. Important experiences of the organization in production, postharvest handling, processing or marketing:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

h. Quantify the organization's resources (human resources, financial resources, vehicles, equipment, buildings, etc.)
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

i. The management/administration of this organization is considered:
very good( ), good( ), satisfactory( ), poor( ), very poor( ).

j. Does this farmer organization have full time management?
yes ( ) no ( )

k. Does this farmer organization have an established financial accounting system?
yes( ) no( )

l. How important is the crop to this farmer organization?
( )very important, ( )average importance, ( )not important

m. Describe the principal problems identified by the farmer organization:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

2. Does government policy favor( ) or disfavor( ) the strengthening of farmer organizations?

3. Identify the active farmer organizations within the potential production areas. For each, provide the following information:

a. Name of organization:_______________________________________________

b. Name of key person:________________________________________________

c. Location, address:__________________________________________________

d. Number of active members:___________________________________________

e. Types of commodities handled:________________________________________

f. Services offered to members, e.g., information, technical assistance, credit, transport, storage, grading of produce, farm input, supply, marketing, etc.:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

g. Important experiences of the organization in production, postharvest handling, processing or marketing:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

h. Quantify the organization's resources (human resources, financial resources, vehicles, equipment, buildings, etc.)
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

i. The management/administration of this organization is considered:
very good( ), good( ), satisfactory( ), poor( ), very poor( ).

j. Does this farmer organization have full time management?
yes ( ) no ( )

k. Does this farmer organization have an established financial accounting system?
yes( ) no( )

l. How important is the crop to this farmer organization?
( )very important, ( )average importance, ( )not important

m. Describe the principal problems identified by the farmer organization:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

4. If there are no farmer organizations dealing with the commodity, explain why not:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Recommendations with respect to farmer organizations:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

5. Summarize the principal problems affecting the development of farmer organizations.

1.
2.

Component 06 - Environmental requirements and constraints

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:________________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ________________________

1. Optimum growing conditions for crop:

1.1 Soil:

a. type:__________________________________________________
b. pH:___________________________________________________
c. slope:_________________________________________________

1.2 Monthly water requirements:_________________________________
1.3 Temperature range within which crop does well:__________________
1.4 Humidity range within which crop does well:_____________________
1.5 Photo-period (length of daylight required):_______________________
1.6 Other:___________________________________________________

2. Crop sensitivity to weather conditions:

	Sensitive	Moderate	Tolerant	Remarks
- drought	( )	( )	( )	________________
- heavy rain	( )	( )	( )	________________
- water logging	( )	( )	( )	________________
- strong winds	( )	( )	( )	________________
- high temperatures	( )	( )	( )	________________
- low temperatures	( )	( )	( )	________________

3. Optimum storage conditions:

	Shelflife (days)
	Minimum	Maximum
- ambient temperature	__________	__________
- cool storage (@____°C)	__________	__________

4. Quality of soils in the production area in question are considered:

very good ( ), adequate( ), or deficient( ).

5. Typical soil conditions in production area:

Soil:

a. type:______________________________________________________
b. pH:_______________________________________________________
c. slope:_____________________________________________________

6. Rainfall (mm) in the production area during the growing season:

Minimum _______________ Maximum _______________ Average _______________

7. Rainfall is considered excessive( ), adequate( ), or insufficient( ).
Explain:_________________________________________________________

8. Are rains torrential to the degree of damaging the crop? yes( ) no( )

9. Does the crop suffer from water logging (excessive amounts of standing water) at any time during the growing season? yes( ) no( )
Explain:_________________________________________________________

10. Does the area suffer from flooding during the growing season? yes( ) no( )
Explain:_________________________________________________________

11. In case of drought conditions, is irrigation available? yes( ) no( )
Explain:_________________________________________________________

12. What is the temperature of the area during the growing season?
minimum _______________ maximum _______________ average _______________

13. Is frost or cold temperature a constraint in this area? yes( ) no( )
Explain:_________________________________________________________

14. Are high temperatures a problem for this crop in this area? yes( ) no( )
Explain:_________________________________________________________

15. What is the average relative humidity of the area during the growing season? ____ %
Is there a significant daily variation? yes( ) no( )
Explain:_________________________________________________________

16. What is the slope of most of the land in the growing area?

very flat( ), gently sloping( ), moderately sloping( ), steep( ), very steep( ), rolling( ), mixed flat and sloping( ).

17. How do the above ecological conditions generally affect crop production and/or yields?
_______________________________________________________________

18. Summarize problems which may impact production and/or postharvest handling:

1.
2.

Component 07 - Availability of seeds and planting materials

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Commercial seeds available:

	Name	Source
1.	___________	___________________
2.	___________	___________________
3.	___________	___________________

2. For each type available, answer the following questions:

	Type 1	Type 2	Type 3
a. Yield (good, moderate, poor)	_________	_________	_________
b. Quality (good, moderate, poor)	_________	_________	_________
c. Cost (high, medium, low)	_________	_________	_________
d. Demand (high, medium, low)	_________	_________	_________

3. Is there a need to introduce new seeds or cultivars? yes( ) no( )

4. If yes, what improvements are needed?___________________________
_____________________________________________________________

5. Principal source of planting material?_____________________________

6. Is planting material imported( )? or produced by the government( )? commercial growers( )? farmers( )? others? _____________________________________________

7. Are seeds hybrid( )? open pollinated( )? or other?____________________

8. Is the quality of planting material considered high( )? satisfactory( )? or low( )?

9. Is the germination rate of seeds high (80-100%) ( )? medium (60-80%) ( )? or low (less than 60%) ( )?

10. Are seeds or planting material readily available? yes( ) no( )

11. What are the principal complaints from farmers concerning seeds/plants (quality, cost, availability, etc.)?________________________________________________

12. What are the opinions of extension agents with respect to these complaints?

13. Are fruit tree plants obtained from private( ), or public sector nurseries( )?
Name of source:________________________________________________

14. If obtained from the public sector, are they subsidized? yes( ) no( )
Explain:_______________________________________________________

15. Age of plants when moved from nursery to field?____________________

16. Are they seedlings( )? or grafted( )? If grafted, are they trained? yes( ) no( )

17. Grafting success rate high( ), medium( ), low( ).

18. Are plants certified disease free( )? appear to be disease free( )? or do they appear diseased( )?

19. Are plants available in sufficient quantity to meet demand? yes( ) no( )
Explain:_______________________________________________________

20. Is credit available to the farmers to allow purchase of seeds or plant stock?
_____________________________________________________________

21. Are seeds or plant stocks generally available at the proper time of year?
_____________________________________________________________

22. Based on available seeds or planting material, are productivity and quality expected to be high( ), medium( ), or low( )?

23 Summary of problems identified which may affect the production, processing, or postharvest life of product.

1.
2.
3.

24. Other Observations:__________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Component 08 - Farmers' cultural practices

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Why does the farmer grow this crop?

( ) no other alternative, ( ) tradition, ( ) best money-making alternative,
( )other (specify)___________________________________________________

2. Most common type of farming system:
( )mono crop ( )intercrop ( )rotation ( )backyard garden
( )slash and burn ( )plantation
( )other (specify)___________________________________________________

3. How is the ground prepared for planting?
( )plowed by tractor ( )plowed with animals ( )worked by hand
Describe:________________________________________________________

4. Planting hole size and method of preparation:_________________________

5. Describe type of planting material used:______________________________

6. Describe planting distance and pattern used:__________________________

7. Do farmers carry out a plant protection spray program for pests and disease?
yes( ) no( ). If yes, describe methods:__________________________________
________________________________________________________________

8. Do farmers fertilize the crop? yes( ) no( ). If yes, describe method, formula, frequency, and quantity used: ____________________________________________________

9. Do farmers use irrigation? yes( ) no( ). If yes, describe the method and frequency:___

10. What is the principal source of labor?
( )family, ( )exchange of labor with neighbors, ( )hired full-time, ( )hired part-time,
( )other (specify)___________________________________________________

11. Is the supply of labor a problem during production? yes( ) no( ).
During harvest? yes( ) no( ). Explain___________________________________

12. Laborers are: ( )highly skilled, ( )satisfactory, ( )poorly skilled.

13. Are attempts made to control shade? yes( ) no( ). Describe method/frequency of control.
________________________________________________________________

14. Do farmers prune this crop? yes( ) no( )
If yes, how?_______________________________________________________

15. Describe method, frequency, and adequacy of weed control. _____________
_________________________________________________________________

16. How do farmers make the decision when to harvest the crop?
( )Maturity ( )Market price ( )danger from theft
( )Other (specify) ___________________________________________________

17. How is crop harvested? ( )Mechanically, ( )Manual labor, ( )Family labor,
( )Other (specify)___________________________________________________

18 What tools are used during harvest?_________________________________

19. What is the average area (hectares, acres) planted by typical farmers?
________________ minimum ________________ maximum

20. Does the farmer grow the crop on land that is ( )owned, ( )rented, ( )share-cropped,
( )communally farmed, ( )other?________________________________________

21. What changes in cultural practices might contribute most to an improvement in product quality?
_________________________________________________________________

22. What changes in cultural practices might contribute most to an increase in production?
_________________________________________________________________

23. What changes in cultural practices might contribute most to a decrease in per unit production costs?
_________________________________________________________________

24. Summarize the cultural practices which are likely to impact production, processing, postharvest handling, or marketing of product.

1.
2.

Component 09 - Pests and diseases

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

List all pests and diseases which impact upon the productivity or quality of the crop by order of importance. In each case, indicate economic or quarantine significance.

	Significance		Significance
Name of pest	(Econ or Quar)	Name of disease	(Econ or Quar)
1.______________	______________	1.______________	______________
2.______________	______________	2.______________	______________
3.______________	______________	3.______________	______________
4.______________	______________	4.______________	______________

For each pest or disease listed above, complete the following questionnaire.

1. The following information pertains to a pest( ), or disease( ) or economic( ), or quarantine( ) significance.

2. Common name:______________________________________________

3. Scientific name:______________________________________________

4. The damage done by this pest or disease affects the following:

	Yes	No	Describe negative impact
- Quantity available for market	( )	( )	____________________
- Quality of product	( )	( )	____________________
- Price of product	( )	( )	____________________
- Consumer demand	( )	( )	____________________
- Other_______________	( )	( )	____________________

5. Technologies are available to prevent( ), eradicate( ), or control( ), the pest and/or disease, or are not available( ).

6. Costs of control are economically feasible( ), or not economically feasible( ).

7. In the case of export crops, in which foreign market(s) is this pest or disease of QUARANTINE significance? ______________________________________

8. What preharvest control methods are presently used for this pest or disease?_____

9. What postharvest control methods are presently used for this pest or disease?____

10. What alternatives exist to control this pest or disease?

Preharvest: _______________________________________________
Postharvest: ______________________________________________

11. Does chemical treatment produce a residue hazard? yes( ) no( ). If yes, explain:
____________________________________________________________________

12. Does chemical treatment affect other organisms beneficial to the yield and quality of the crop?
____________________________________________________________________

13. How do the farmers decide to spray for the pest or disease in question? (Does the farmer apply chemicals at the first sign of insects or disease or only after the crop is severely infested?)
____________________________________________________________________

14. Type of pesticide most commonly used?_________________________________

15. With what frequency do farmers spray?__________________________________

16. Who does the spraying (farmer, worker, co-operative, Ministry of Agriculture, other)?
____________________________________________________________________

17. Does the farmer consciously attempt to minimize his spraying costs? yes( ) no( )
If yes, how does s/he do this? ____________________________________________

18. What type of equipment do farmers have for spraying? knapsack sprayers( ), tractor operated( ), airplane( ), other _____________________________________________________

19. What is the magnitude of the pest/disease damage with:

a. No control/treatment?_________________________________
b. Optimum control/treatment?____________________________
c. Average farmer treatment?_____________________________

20. Identify and describe any significant disorder to product caused by physiological and/or nutritional factors other than pests and diseases: _____________________________

21. Summarize problems caused by pests/diseases or use of chemicals to control pests/diseases which affect the production, processing, postharvest handling, or marketing of the crop.

1.
2.

22. Other observations:_________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Component 10 - Preharvest treatments

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Do the farmers in the region carry out any type of physical treatment to the crop prior to harvest which may affect production or its postharvest quality? yes( ) no( )

If yes, please describe each treatment:

a. Name of physical treatment:______________________________
b. Description of action taken:_______________________________
_______________________________________________________
c. Why is this action taken?_________________________________
d. Who carries out the action?_______________________________
e. When is the action carried out?____________________________
f. Description of the impact or results of the action taken (how is the quantity, quality, storage, shelf life, market value, etc., affected)?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

2. Do the farmers in the region carry out any type of chemical treatment to the crop prior to harvest which may affect production or its postharvest quality? yes( ) no( )

If yes, please describe each treatment:

a. Name of physical treatment:______________________________
b. Description of action taken:_______________________________
_______________________________________________________
c. Why is this action taken?_________________________________
d. Who carries out the action?_______________________________
e. When is the action carried out?____________________________
f. Description of the impact or results of the action taken (how is the quantity, quality, storage, shelf life, market value, etc., affected)?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

3. Are there recommended treatments which farmers are unaware of or do not use for some other reason? yes( ) no( )

If yes:
a. Name of treatment:_____________________________________
b. Purpose of treatment:____________________________________
c. Why is it not used by farmers?_____________________________
_______________________________________________________

4. Identify and describe other preharvest treatments which might favorably affect postharvest quality.

a._____________________________________________________
b._____________________________________________________
c._____________________________________________________
d._____________________________________________________

5. Summarize the problems resulting from preharvest treatments which may affect production, processing, postharvest, and marketing of the crop.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Component 11 - Production and marketing costs

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Identify and select different farming alternatives to be analyzed, e.g., alternative A could be 1 hectare size farms and alternative B could be 20 hectare size farms.

2. For each alternative, establish basic assumptions about how the farm is operated, e.g.:

a. Labor: small farm may use all family labor and minimum purchased farm inputs; larger farm may hire labor and use optimum level of recommended farm inputs.
b. Market: small farmer may sell all produce at farmgate while large farmer might export 60% of production
c. Product sales price: maximum, minimum, average
d. Product yield: high, low, average
e. Number of plants/hectare
f. Number of years productivity of perennials
g. Production or expected production
h. Intended market
i. Others

3. Identify all the cost components and calculate their contribution to the cost of a unit Quantity of the product

A. Capital investment:

1. land premium

- rent
- taxes

2. land clearing
3. drainage
4. fencing
5. buildings
6. vehicles
7. irrigation equipment
8. electricity
9. farm equipment/machinery
10. office equipment
11. processing facilities

- coldrooms
- ripening room
- table
- weighing machine

12. others

B. Operating and maintenance:

1. rent
2. road and drainage maintenance
3. fencing maintenance
4. vehicle maintenance
5. facilities maintenance

- water supply
- insurance
- building maintenance

6. agriculture tool replacement
7. fixed salary end wages
8. administration end management
9. costs of credit
10. others

C. Crop production costs:

1. land preparation
2. holing
3. planting

- material
- labor
- fertilizers
- replacement plants

4. fertilization

- labor
- material
- machinery

5. irrigation

- water
- equipment
- labor

6. pest and disease control

- labor
- material
- equipment

7. weed control

- labor
- material
- equipment

8. bagging fruit on trees

- material
- labor

9. pruning and training

- labor
- equipment

10. harvesting cost

- labor
- boxes and baskets
- equipment

11. in-field transportation

- labor
- materials

12. other production costs

- pollinating agents
- others

D. Postharvest and marketing costs:

1. cleaning, sorting, grading, and selection

- material
- labor
- postharvest treatments

2. packaging and wrapping

- material
- labor

3. cooling
4. storage
5. loading/unloading
6. transportation cost

- field to packinghouse
- packinghouse to port

7. document & custom form
8. custom fees
9. freight charges
10. handling

E. Other costs

Component 12 - Crop harvest

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Who harvests the crop?______________________________________

2. Describe in detail the harvest operation:__________________________

3. Why is the crop harvested in this particular manner?________________
___________________________________________________________

4. When is the harvest undertaken? Time of day_____________________

5. Under what conditions? Temperature_________ Relative humidity_______

6. Does the present method of harvest appear to affect: quantity of produce available for market( ), quality of produce available for market( ), value of produce available for market( )? Explain
____________________________________________________________

7. Does the volume of produce unsuitable for market appear to be: high( ), medium( ), low( )? Describe the causes, e.g., size of product, weather damage, pest damage, disease damage, lack of soil nutrients, sun damage, harvest damage, others ________

8. Estimate percentage of crop suitable for market: ______________ %

9. Identify and describe the harvesting tools: __________________________

10. Is all of the crop harvested at one time? yes() no(). If no, why not and how is selection made for that part which is harvested?____________________________________
______________________________________________________________

11. Identify harvest seasons for each cultivar or variety of crop (if more than one):

Cultivar	Months of harvest	No. months in crop cycle
_________________	_________________	_________________
_________________	_________________	_________________
_________________	_________________	_________________

12. Which, if any, cultivar produces off season?______________________

13. Optimum harvesting parameters:
Moisture content________________________________________________
Color/appearance_______________________________________________
Tenderness/texture______________________________________________

14. Maturity index known: yes( ) no( ). If yes, describe:___________________

15. What criteria are used by the pickers in selecting the product for harvest?
______________________________________________________________

16. For the principal cultivar(s):
What is a good yield per hectare under good growing conditions? _________ tons
What is a good yield per hectare under average conditions? _________ tons

17. Sensitivity to mechanical damage during harvest: high( ), medium( ), low( ).

18. Sensitivity to dehydration: highs( ), medium( ), low( ).

19. Summarize the problems occurring at harvest which may affect the processing, postharvest handling, or marketing of the product.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

20. Observations:

Component 13-A - Selection

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Identify the points in the postharvest system where some form of selection takes place.

POINT IN THE SYSTEM	ACTION THAT TAKES PLACE
__________________________	__________________________
__________________________	__________________________
__________________________	__________________________

2. For each action identified above provide the following information:

a. Name of action:___________________________________________
b. Time required for the action to take place:______________________
c. Describe the action:________________________________________
d. Who is responsible for conducting the action?___________________
e. When is the action carried out?_______________________________
f. Why is this action carried out?________________________________
g. Where is this operation carried out?___________________________
h. Is the activity carried out with laborers? yes( ) no( )
If yes, how many?___________________________________________
i. Is the activity carried out with machines/tools/equipment? yes( ) no( )
If yes, identify and describe:____________________________________
j. What criteria are used in this action?

	Yes	No	Describe
- product shape	( )	( )	________________
- product size	( )	( )	________________
- product weight	( )	( )	________________
- maturity	( )	( )	________________
- color	( )	( )	________________
- pest/disease damage	( )	( )	________________
- physical injury	( )	( )	________________
- mechanical injury	( )	( )	________________
- cleanliness	( )	( )	________________
- other____	( )	( )	________________

k. Is this operation required to meet market demand?
yes( ) no( ) Explain:_________________________________________

i. What is (are) the probable end use(s) of culled product?___________
_________________________________________________________

3. If the product is divided into different groups or categories at this point due to the selection process, identify the different categories and the approximate % of produce moving into each channel.

For example:

Grade	% of Total	Destination
1st Grade	40%	Export
2nd Grade	35%	Domestic market
3rd Grade	15%	Agro-processing
Culls	10%	Animal feed
Total	100%

4. What portion of culled product, if any, is a complete loss and does not generate any economic return?_______ %
Explain____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

5. Identify any problems occurring at this point which may affect postharvest losses.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Component 13-B - Sizing and grading

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Identify the points in the postharvest systems where some form of sizing or grading takes place.

POINT IN THE SYSTEM	ACTION THAT TAKES PLACE
_______________________	_______________________
_______________________	_______________________
_______________________	_______________________

2. For each action identified above provide the following information:

a. Name of action:____________________________________________
b. Time required for the action to take place:_______________________
c. Describe the action:_________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
d. Who is responsible for conducting the action?____________________
e. When is the action carried out?________________________________
f. Why is this action carried out?_________________________________
g. Where is this operation carried out?____________________________
h. Is the activity carried out with laborers? yes( ) no( )
If yes, how many?____________________________________________
i. Is the activity carried out with machines/tools/equipment? yes( ) no( )
If yes, identify and describe:____________________________________
__________________________________________________________
j. Is this operation required to meet market demand?
yes( ) no( ) Explain:___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
k. What is (are) the probable end use(s) of culled product?____________
___________________________________________________________
i. What criteria are used in this action?

	Yes	No	Describe
- product shape	( )	( )	______________
- product size	( )	( )	______________
- product weight	( )	( )	______________
- maturity	( )	( )	______________
- color	( )	( )	______________
- pest/disease damage	( )	( )	______________
- physical injury	( )	( )	______________
- mechanical injury	( )	( )	______________
- cleanliness	( )	( )	______________
- other_______	( )	( )	______________

3. Are any sizing or grading standards used for this commodity? yes( ) no( )
If yes, identify and describe the standard:__________________________
___________________________________________________________

4. If the product is divided into different groups or categories at this point due to the sizing or grading process, identify the different categories and the approximate % of produce moving into each channel.

For example:

Grade	% of Total	Destination
1st Grade	40%	Export
2nd Grade	35%	Domestic market
3rd Grade	15%	Agro-processing
Culls	10%	Animal feed
Total	100%

5. What portion of culled product, if any, Is a complete loss and does not generate any economic return?______ %
Explain:____________________________________________________

6. Identify any problems occurring at this point which may affect postharvest losses.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Component 13-C - Inspection

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Identify the points in the postharvest systems where some form of inspection takes place.

POINT IN THE SYSTEM	ACTION THAT TAKES PLACE
_______________________	_______________________
_______________________	_______________________
_______________________	_______________________

2. For each action identified above provide the following information:

a. Name of action:_________________________________________________
b. Time required for the action to take place:____________________________
c. Describe the action:______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
d. Describe the sampling procedure:___________________________________
________________________________________________________________
e. Who is responsible for conducting the action?__________________________
f. When is the action carried out?______________________________________
g. Why is this action carried out?______________________________________
h. Where is this operation carried out?__________________________________
i. Is the activity carried out with machines/tools/equipment? yes( ) no( )
If yes, identify and describe:__________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
j. What criteria are used in this action?

(A) Quality control (packinghouse line)

	Yes	No	Describe
- product shape	( )	( )	_________________
- product size	( )	( )	_________________
- product weight	( )	( )	_________________
- maturity	( )	( )	_________________
- color	( )	( )	_________________
- pest/disease damage	( )	( )	_________________
- physical injury	( )	( )	_________________
- mechanical injury	( )	( )	_________________
- cleanliness	( )	( )	_________________
- other_______	( )	( )	_________________

(B) Plant quarantine (exporting and importing)

	Yes	No	Describe
- disease	( )	( )	______________
- pest	( )	( )	______________
- chemical residues	( )	( )	______________
-other_______	( )	( )	______________

(C) Customs

	Yes	No	Describe
- drug control	( )	( )	______________
- pest/disease	( )	( )	______________
- other______	( )	( )	______________
	( )	( )	______________

k. Is this operation required to meet market demand? yes( ) no( )
Explain:________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. Identify any problems occurring at this point which may affect postharvest losses.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Component 14 - Postharvest chemical and physical treatments

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

CHEMICAL TREATMENT

1. Is any chemical applied to the commodity awing the postharvest stage? yes( ) no( ) If yes, list the chemicals below:

Generic name:	a. _________	Brand name:	a. _________
	b. _________		b. _________
	c. _________		c. _________

2. For each chemical used, answer the following questions.

a What is the name of the chemical?_____________________________________
b. Why is the chemical used?___________________________________________
c. Who applies the chemical?___________________________________________
d. When is the chemical applied?________________________________________
e. Where is the chemical applied?_______________________________________
f. How often is the chemical applied?_____________________________________
g. How is the chemical applied (spray, dip, etc.)?____________________________
h. In what concentration is it applied?_____________________________________
i. Does the use of this chemical represent a health hazard for workers?__________
yes( ) no( ); for consumers? yes( ) no( ). If yes, explain:_______________________
___________________________________________________________________
j. Costs of treatment?__________________________________________________

Observations:

PHYSICAL TREATMENT

1. Does this product receive any special physical treatment in the postharvest stage which affects its quality, shelf life marketability? yes( ) no( )

2. If yes, identify each type of physical treatment:

a.____________________________________________________________
b.____________________________________________________________
c.____________________________________________________________

3. For each physical treatment, provide the following information:

a. Name of physical treatment:______________________________________
b. Description of treatment:_________________________________________
c. Purpose of treatment:____________________________________________
d. Who undertakes the treatment?____________________________________
e. When is the treatment done?______________________________________
f. Where is the treatment undertaken?_________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
g. What costs are involved in the treatment?____________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Observations:

4. Summarize the problems at this point which may affect processing or postharvest losses of product.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Component 15 - Packaging

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Identify the points in the postharvest system where packaging or repackaging occur:

	Yes	No	Describe
- on the farm	( )	( )	_______________
- rural collection pant	( )	( )	_______________
- regional collection point	( )	( )	_______________
- packinghouse	( )	( )	_______________
- local market	( )	( )	_______________
- wholesale market	( )	( )	_______________
- cottage industry	( )	( )	_______________
- agro-industry	( )	( )	_______________
-supermarket	( )	( )	_______________
- point of export	( )	( )	_______________
- other_______	( )	( )	_______________

2. For each instance where packaging takes place, provide the following information:

a Why is it necessary to package?________________________________
b. Who undertakes the packaging?_______________________________
c. Where does the packaging take place?__________________________
d. When does the packaging take place?___________________________
e. How long does the packaging process take?______________________
f. How is the product handled/packaged (describe)?__________________
___________________________________________________________
g. What type of packaging material is used?_________________________
h. Why is that particular packaging material used?____________________
____________________________________________________________
i. What is the size of the package used?
- dimensions (cm)_________ ×___________ ×
- number of units of product per package____
- weighs of package: gross____________ net_____
j. Does the particular package have the mechanical strength to adequately protect the product during:

	Yes	No	Comments
- handling	( )	( )	________________
- transportation	( )	( )	________________
- stacking	( )	( )	________________
- storage	( )	( )	________________
- other	( )	( )	________________

k. Is the packaging material readily available? yes( ) no( )

l. Does the package meet the handling and marketing requirements in terms of:

	DOMESTIC MARKET		EXPORT MARKET		IF NEGATIVE
	Yes	No	Yes	No	Explain
- weight	( )	( )	( )	( )	____________
- size	( )	( )	( )	( )	____________
- shape	( )	( )	( )	( )	____________
- material	( )	( )	( )	( )	____________
- design	( )	( )	( )	( )	____________
- labelling	( )	( )	( )	( )	____________

m. Can the package be re-used? yes( ) no( )
If yes, state the estimated number of times:___________________________

n. Who owns the package (container)?_______________________________

o. If the containers are reused, explain the procedure.___________________
_____________________________________________________________
p. What is the per unit cost of the package or container?_________________
_____________________________________________________________
q. What is the cost of the labor involved in packaging?__________________

3. a. Is cushioning material used? yes( ) no( )
If yes, what type?_______________________________________________
Why that particular type?_________________________________________
b. Can the cushioning material be re-used? yes( ) no( )
If yes, state the estimated number of times:___________________________
c. What is the cost of the cushioning material per container?______________

4. If produce is not packaged, why not? Not needed( ) Lack of knowledge( )
Lack of materials( ) Not economical( )
Other________________________________________________________

5. Summarize problems which affect postharvest losses due to packaging or lack of:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6. Observations

Component 16 - Cooling

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Does this product undergo cooling? yes( ) no( )
If no, why not?____________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
If yes, provide the following information:

2. What time of day is the product normally harvested? early morning( ), morning( ), afternoon( ), evening( ), anytime( )

3. What is the normal air temperature during harvest?______________________

4. Is it considered important to precool this crop? yes( ) no( )
Explain:___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

5. What method of cooling is used? standard cool room( ), hydro( ), icing( ), evaporative( ), forced air( ), air conditioning( ), other
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

6. How is cooling carried out (describe procedure and equipment used)?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

7. How long after harvest is the cooling performed? 0-3 hours( ), 4-7 hours( ), 8-16 hours( ), 17-24 hours( ), more than 24 hours( ).

8. Where is the cooling carried out? on-the-farm( ), collecting center( ), packing center( ), market( ), other
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

9. Who performs the cooling? farmer( ), middleman( ), buyer( ), government( ), other
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

10. How long is the cooling period?_______ hours

11. What is the temperature range of the cooling medium?___________________

12. Once cooled, is the product ever removed from the cool chain on its way to the final market? yes( ) no( )
Describe:__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

13. What are the costs of the cooling operation, per kg of produce?____________

14. Summarize problems identified at this point which may affect postharvest losses and/or marketing of the product.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

15. Observations:

Component 17 - Storage

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Identify the points in the postharvest system where storage takes place.

	Yes	No	Duration of storage (days)
- on the farm	( )	( )	____________________
- rural collecting point	( )	( )	____________________
- regional collecting point	( )	( )	____________________
- packinghouse	( )	( )	____________________
- retail market	( )	( )	____________________
- wholesale market	( )	( )	____________________
- agro-industry	( )	( )	____________________
- supermarket	( )	( )	____________________
- export warehouses	( )	( )	____________________
- container terminal (export)	( )	( )	____________________
- government marketing board	( )	( )	____________________
- import warehouses	( )	( )	____________________
-other_______	( )	( )	____________________

2. For each instance of storage identified, provide the following information:

a. Type of storage (from 1 above):__________________________________
b. Who is responsible for the storage? farmer ( ), middleman ( ), gov't ( ), wholesaler ( ), retailer( ), processor ( ), other_________________________
c. What is the purpose of storage? await shipping( ), await better market price( ), maintain quality( ), assemble larger volumes( ), other____________________________
________________________________________________________
d. Describe the storage facilities and equipment.__________________
________________________________________________________
e. How long after harvest does the product normally go into storage (hours and days)?___
_________________________________________________________
f. How long is the holding period?______________________________
g. At what degree of ripeness/maturity is the product when it is normally placed into storage?
_________________________________________________________
h. How does the quality of produce change during the storage period?
_________________________________________________________
i. Is air temperature controlled in the storage environment? yes( ) no( ) Explain:
__________________________________________________________
j. What is the range of air temperature in the storage environment?_____
k. Is humidity controlled in the storage environment? yes( ) no( )
Explain:____________________________________________________
l. What is the range of relative humidity in the storage environment?_____
m. Is the atmosphere in the storage facility modified( ), or controlled( )?
Describe:___________________________________________________
n. Is the product normally stored by itself( ), or with other producer( )? If with other produce, specify what kind:____________________________________________
o. Describe the type of container in which the product is packaged during storage.
__________________________________________________________
p. Who owns the storage facilities?______________________________
q. Who operates the storage facilities?___________________________
r. What is the cost of holding the produce?________________________
s. Is the storage facility operated efficiently? yes( ) no( )
If no, explain:_______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

3. Summarize storage problems which may affect postharvest losses.

1.
2.
3.

4. Observations:

Component 18 - Transport

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Identify each point in the commodity system where the product undergoes movement from one point to another with the purpose of getting it to a new location.

	Where transportation takes place	Method of transport
a.	from_________ to_______	_____________________
b.	from_________ to_______	_____________________
c.	from_________ to_______	_____________________
d.	from_________ to_______	_____________________
e.	from_________ to_______	_____________________

2. For each case identified above, provide the following information:

a. From__________________ to___________________
b. Who is responsible for the transportation? farmer( ), middleman ( ),wholesaler( ), retailer( ), government( ), other_________________________________
c. When is produce normally transported? early morning( ), morning( ), afternoon( ), evening( ), night( ), anytime( ).
d. Method of transport? human( ), animal( ), motorcycle( ), truck( ), ship( ), airplane( ), other
___________________________________________________________
e. Describe the transportation process.____________________________
___________________________________________________________
f. Describe the containers used during this stage of transport.__________
___________________________________________________________
g. How is produce stacked during transport?________________________
___________________________________________________________
h. Identify and describe any type of damage/bruising which occurs to the product during transport.
____________________________________________________________
i. Identify the costs involved during this stage of transportation:

Type costs	Yes	No	Type unit	Cost/unit
- labor	( )	( )	___________	_______________
- packaging	( )	( )	___________	_______________
- animal rental	( )	( )	___________	_______________
- vehicle service	( )	( )	___________	_______________
- containers	( )	( )	___________	_______________
- other_____	( )	( )	___________	_______________

j. What is the duration of this stage of transport?

hours_________________
days__________________

k. What is the distance covered?_________________________________

l. Who owns the containers during this stage of transport? _____________
___________________________________________________________

m. Who owns the product during transport?________________________
___________________________________________________________
3. Summary of problems during transport which may affect processing, postharvest handling, or marketing.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

4. Observations:

Component 19 - Delays or waiting

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Identify all those points in the postharvest system where delays or waiting occur.

	Yes	No	Describe
- on the farm	( )	( )	_________________
- during transport	( )	( )	_________________
- at packinghouse	( )	( )	_________________
- at wholesale market	( )	( )	_________________
- at retail market	( )	( )	_________________
- at processing factory	( )	( )	_________________
- at supermarket	( )	( )	_________________
- at airport	( )	( )	_________________
- at seaport	( )	( )	_________________
- other_____	( )	( )	_________________

2. For each instance of delay or waiting, provide the following information:

a. Point in system where delay or waiting occurs (from 1 above)__________
_____________________________________________________________
b. What is the cause of delay?____________________________________
c. Who is responsible for the delay?________________________________
d. How long is the normal delay at this point? minutes_________ hours_____________ days________
e. What can be done to reduce the time of the delay?___________________
_____________________________________________________________
f. How is the product protected at the point of delay?____________________
_____________________________________________________________
g. What are the environmental conditions for the product at the point of delay? direct sunlight or shade __________, temperature ____________, relative humidity _____________, air movement ____________, other debilitating environmental conditions:______________

h. Describe how the delay or waiting may affect the quality of the product (changes in appearance, texture, aroma, flavor, weight loss/gain, disease development, etc.)._______
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
i. Does the delay affect the price of the produce? yes( ) no( )
If yes, explain:_________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

3. Summarize those problems caused by delays/waiting which may negatively affect processing, postharvest handling, or marketing.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

4. Observations:

Component 20 - Other operations

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1.	Operation name	Point in food system where operation occurs
___________________		__________________________________
___________________		__________________________________
___________________		__________________________________
___________________		__________________________________

2. For each operation, provide the following information:

a. Name of operation._____________________________________________
b. Describe what takes place._______________________________________
c. Who executes the operation?_____________________________________
d. Where is the operation carried out?________________________________
e. When is the operation carried out?_________________________________
f. Why is it done in the present manner?______________________________
g. What is the impact of this operation on quality or quantity of the product?___
_______________________________________________________________
h. How could this operation be improved?______________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. Identify and describe all problems related to these operations which can affect processing, postharvest handling, or marketing of the product.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

4. Observations:

Component 21 - Agroprocessing

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Does the produce undergo any type of processing or semi-processing at any point in the postharvest system? yes( ) no( )

IF NO, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION
IF YES, GO TO QUESTION #3

2. Is there any possibility over the medium or long term for developing a processing industry for this crop? yes( ) no( ) If yes, explain (type of industry principal constraints, etc.):
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. Where does the processing take place? on the farm( ), home industry( ), plant-sized industry ( ), market( ), supermarket( ), other________________________________

4. What percentage of the produce arriving at the point of processing is culled before the processing begins?______ % What is the destination of the culled produce?_________

5. What type of processing is carried out?

	Yes	No	Observations
- canning in glass jars	( )	( )	new ( ) used ( )____
- canning in metal cans	( )	( )	________________
- dehydration/drying	( )	( )	________________
- making jam & jelly	( )	( )	________________
- candying	( )	( )	________________
- pickling	( )	( )	________________
- juicing	( )	( )	________________
- slicing in brine	( )	( )	________________
- concentrating	( )	( )	________________
- freezing	( )	( )	________________
- other______	( )	( )	________________

6. What percent of the national production is processed in this form?___________ %

7. What percent of the production in the geographical area under study is processed in this form?__________ %

8. How does processing facilitate marketing?__________________________
______________________________________________________________

9. Is the estimated demand for the processed output greater than( ), equal to( ), or less than( ), the supply?

10. Intended market for processed output:_________ % export,__________ % domestic

11. Why is the product processed?

( ) to satisfy consumer demand (import substitution)
( ) to reduce postharvest losses
( ) to extend shelf-life
( ) other (specify)________________________________

12. Does the processor contract for raw materials? yes( ) no( )
If no, what guarantee does the processor have to receive adequate supply of raw materials?
_______________________________________________________________

13. What are the principal constraints to processing?

( ) insufficient raw materials
( ) lack of packaging materials
( ) high costs of raw materials
( ) high costs of other inputs (specify)_____________
( ) insufficient energy
( ) expensive energy costs
( ) lack of qualified labor
( ) antiquated equipment/machinery
( ) other (specify)______________________________

14. Observations:

Component 22 - Marketing intermediaries

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Identify the different types of intermediaries involved with the marketing of the product under study.

Type of intermediary	Brief description
Local collectors/traders:
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________
Wholesalers:
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________
Retailers:
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________
Government buyers:
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________
Institutional buyers:
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________
Exporters:
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________
Agroprocessors:
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________
Others:
______________________	______________________
______________________	______________________

2. For each type of intermediary identified in 1, provide the following information:

a. Describe the principal functions of this type of intermediary_________________
__________________________________________________________________
b. How does the intermediary carry out these functions?_____________________
__________________________________________________________________
c. Where are these functions carried out?_________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
d. When are these functions carried out?__________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
e. Other persons involved in carrying out these functions?____________________
__________________________________________________________________
f. Why are these actions carried out in the present manner?___________________
_________________________________________________________________
g. What facilities, equipment, vehicles, etc., does the intermediary use to carry out the activities?
____________________________________________________________________
h. What is an average sized operation for this type of intermediary (tons of product handled per calendar year)?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
i. How could the handling of this product be improved?_______________________
__________________________________________________________________
j. Would improvement in handling increase costs for the operation? yes( ) no( )
k. If yes, can this cost be passed on to consumers? yes( ) no( )
l. What are the principal constraints for this intermediary which affect the efficient handling of the product?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

3. Are there any ethnic groups which specialize in marketing? yes( ) no( )
If yes, how does this affect:

a. Quality________________________________________________________
b. Price_________________________________________________________
c. Cost__________________________________________________________

4. If possible, collect the following information from each type of intermediary:

a. How is price determined?________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
b. Who determines the price?_______________________________________
c. Is product quality a problem? yes( ) no( )
d. Is obtaining sufficient volume a problem? yes() no()
Explain:_______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
e. What tricks do farmers use when selling produce to intermediaries (e.g. adding foreign material, placing best produce on top, etc.)?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

5. Summarize problems relating to intermediaries which affect postharvest handling and/or marketing and/or processing.

1.
2.
3.

Component 23 - Market information

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Is statistical price information available for the commodity under study?
yes( ) no( )

2. If yes, for what calendar years?_________________________________

3.

Type of price information available	Frequency of Information
	daily	weekly	monthly	yearly
Farm gate	( )	( )	( )	( )
Wholesale	( )	( )	( )	( )
Retail	( )	( )	( )	( )
Export	( )	( )	( )	( )

4. Has a seasonal price index been prepared for this crop? yes( ) no( )

5. If a seasonal price index exists, which are the months of the year when prices are lowest?________ highest?________

6. During those months when prices are lowest, are the low prices due to:

	Yes	No
- decline in consumer demand	( )	( )
- favorable growing conditions/excess supply	( )	( )
- poor production planning/excess supply	( )	( )
- increase in imports	( )	( )
- reduction of exports	( )	( )
- trade regulations	( )	( )
- increase in supply of substitutes	( )	( )
- other________	( )	( )

7. During those months when prices are highest, are the high prices due to:

	Yes	No
- increase in consumer demand	( )	( )
- poor growing conditions/scarcity	( )	( )
- poor production planning/scarcity	( )	( )
- reduction in imports	( )	( )
- increase of exports	( )	( )
- trade regulations	( )	( )
- decline in supply of substitutes	( )	( )
- other________	( )	( )

8. Does data include information on different qualities? yes( ) no( ) on different cultivars? yes( ) no( ) on quantities entering the market? yes( ) no( )

9. In what type of market are prices highest?

		Describe for whom prices are higher
- public market	( )	_______________________
- supermarket	( )	_______________________
- agro-industry	( )	_______________________
- exporters	( )	_______________________
- institutions	( )	_______________________
- government buyers	( )	_______________________
- other_______	( )	_______________________

10. In the markets mentioned above, do prices vary due to quality differences? yes( ) no( ) If yes, in which markets?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

11. Is there reliable information about product supply on domestic markets?
yes( ) no( ); on overseas markets? yes( ) no( )

12. If yes, for what period of time?

- indicate calendar years for which supply information exists:___________
- is the information on a monthly( ) or yearly( ) basis?

13. What is the source of the supply information? ______________________

14. Is the supply information reliable( )? questionable( )? a guess( )?

15. Provide following price information for year:_________________________

	Low price		High price
	$ per unit	Month	$ per unit	Month
Farmgate	________	________	________	________
Local market	________	________	________	________
Wholesale	________	________	________	________
Retail	________	________	________	________
Export	________	________	________	________
Other_____	________	________	________	________

16. Summary of price-related problems which may affect postharvest losses.

1.
2.

Component 24 - Consumer demand

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. What percent of total national production of this product is sold on the domestic market?______________ % export market?_______________ %

2. What percent of the production in the geographical area under study goes to the domestic market?_________ % export market_________ %

3. Which consumers purchase the product in domestic and export markets.

	Domestic market	Export market
- low income consumers	__________%	__________%
- medium income consumers	__________%	__________%
- high income consumer	__________%	__________%
Total(%)	100	100

4. Indicate ethnic group consumption of this product:

Ethnic group	Domestic market	Export market
________________	___________%	___________%
________________	___________%	___________%
________________	___________%	___________%
Total (%)	100	100

5. For each important consumer group identified above, provide the following information for the applicable questions:

a. Preferred cultivar?___________________________________________
b. Preferred size?______________________________________________
c. Preferred color?_____________________________________________
d. Desired flavor?______________________________________________
e. Desired texture?_____________________________________________
f. Preferred degree of maturity?___________________________________
g. Preferred type of package?_____________________________________
h. Desired number of units/products per package?_____________________
i. Consumer willingness to accept pest or disease blemishes?
will accept( ) will not accept( )
j. Which of the following is most important to this consumer group: quality( ) or price( )?
k. How sensitive is this consumer group to fluctuations in product prices?

( ) very sensitive (small price increase decreases consumer purchases)
( ) moderately sensitive
( ) slightly sensitive
( ) not very sensitive (large price increase won't decrease amount purchased)

l. Desired product characteristics for religious, cultural, and medicinal uses:

religious:___________________________________________________
cultural:____________________________________________________
medicinal uses:______________________________________________
other:______________________________________________________

6. Summarize the characteristics of consumer demand which are most likely to affect the marketability of the product in question.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

7. Observations:

Component 25 - Exports

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Name of crop to be exported:______________________________________
Variety/cultivar/clone:______________________________________________

2. Characteristics of external demand:

a. For each potential export destination (e.g., UK, Japan, USA, or Germany) complete the following information:

- preferred cultivar______________________________________________
- preferred size_________________________________________________
- preferred weight_______________________________________________
- preferred color________________________________________________
- desired flavor_________________________________________________
- acid/brix ratio_________________________________________________
- preferred texture_______________________________________________
- preferred degree of maturity______________________________________
- desired packaging______________________________________________
- pest control requirements________________________________________
- disease control requirements_____________________________________
- chemical residue limits__________________________________________
- grades & standards used_________________________________________
- other desired crop characteristics (e.g., due to religious or cultural preferences)
______________________________________________________________

b. Is this market very susceptible to:

	Yes	No	Explain
- changes in price	( )	( )	______________
- changes in quality	( )	( )	______________
- changes in supply	( )	( )	______________

c. What trade barriers exist, or regulations are required, in the importing country?
________________________________________________________________

d. What is the total volume of the product imported during the previous calendar year by country of destination?
________________________________________________________________

e. What volume of product was imported from this study area by the country of destination during the last year? _____________________________________________________
and the previous four years?__________________________________________

3. Characteristics of Supply:

Total national production over last five years

Years	Tons	Value($)
__________	______________	______________
__________	______________	______________
__________	______________	______________
__________	______________	______________
__________	______________	______________

4. Principal constraints which limit exports:

Type constraints		Yes	No	Describe problem
- market information		( )	( )	_____________
- insect problems		( )	( )	_____________
- disease problems		( )	( )	_____________
- climatic problems		( )	( )	_____________
- postharvest handling problems:
	infrastructure	( )	( )	_____________
	technology	( )	( )	_____________
	technical assistance	( )	( )	_____________
	funds	( )	( )	_____________
	other_______	( )	( )	_____________
- transportation problems:
	sea transport	( )	( )	_____________
	air transport	( )	( )	_____________
-insufficient volumes		( )	( )	_____________
- trade barriers		( )	( )	_____________
- delays in payments		( )	( )	_____________
- other______		( )	( )	_____________

5. Potential competition:

a. Which are the principal competing countries for this same market?
____________________________________________________________

b. What actions must be taken to compete favorably with these countries?

- with respect to quality:______________________________________
- with respect to supply:______________________________________
- with respect to price:_______________________________________
- shipping methods:_________________________________________
- market research and development:____________________________
- market information:________________________________________
- market promotion:_________________________________________

6. Can the farmers/intermediaries meet the external demand requirements with respect to:

	Yes	No	Comments
- proper cultivar/variety	( )	( )	______________
- product size	( )	( )	______________
- product weight	( )	( )	______________
- color	( )	( )	______________
- flavor	( )	( )	______________
- texture	( )	( )	______________
- maturity	( )	( )	______________
- freedom from pests	( )	( )	______________
- freedom from disease	( )	( )	______________
- appearance	( )	( )	______________
- quarantine controls	( )	( )	______________
- health regulations	( )	( )	______________
- trade restrictions	( )	( )	______________
- packaging requirements	( )	( )	______________
- product quantity	( )	( )	______________
- product quality	( )	( )	______________
- price	( )	( )	______________
- others:________	( )	( )	______________
_______________	( )	( )	______________

7. Summary of principal problems with respect to exports.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

8. Observations:

Component 26 - Postharvest and marketing costs

NAME OF DATA COLLECTOR: _______________________TEL:___________
TITLE: __________________________ INSTITUTION: ___________________

1. Identify each step (operation) in the marketing channel (for the product being studied), from the point of harvest to sales, and present them in a list. Consider such aspects as: harvest, selection, grading, packaging, cooling, transport, processing, wholesaling, retailing, exporting, and others.

2. Prepare a list of all the different types of participants involved in the marketing of the product in question, considering: farmers, farmer organizations, rural traders, intermediaries, wholesalers, retailers, supermarkets, agro-processors, marketing boards, government institutions, transport companies, cool storage suppliers, packing house operators, customs, port personnel, and others.

3. For each participant in the commodity system, identify respective postharvest and marketing costs which affect the price of the commodity, considering such things as: labor, materials, equipment, chemical and physical treatments, vehicles, transportation fees, storage, processing, cooling services, packaging, grading/sorting, inspection, custom fees, technical assistance, and others.

4. From point of harvest to retail, list the operations (steps in marketing channel) in the order in which they occur. For each operation, list the respective participants, type of cost, and the respective cost. For example:

Operation	Participants	Cost items	Costs
Harvest	Traders	Supervision	$8.00/day
	Pickers	Picking, selection	$0.06/kg
Packing	Packers	Labor	$0.01/kg
		Cushion material	$0.04/kg
		Cartons	$1.35/kg