Date

3-2010

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering

Major Course

Major in Agricultural and Bio-Process Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Jessie C. Elauria

Committee Member

Engelbert K. Peralta, Kevin F. Yaptengco

Abstract

Field practice was conducted in Packing Plant 96 of Diamond Farms, Inc. at Brgy. Bobongon. Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte Fro April 13 to May 15, 2009. The practicum study enabled the student to understand the different post-production operations involved in a banana packing plant and to participate in the actual work of some activities done in the packing plant production area. Bananas are eaten either fresh or processed Fresh bananas packed in packing plant or packing house directly after harvest. Postharvest handling operations done in the packing plant are crucial in extending the shelf life of bananas. The quality of the produce that will reach domestic and international markets will depend on how they are sorted, packed and transported. Diamond Farms, Inc. also known as DFI, is a bi-product of formerly three separate entities, namely Diamond Farms, Inc., Checkered Farms, Inc., and Timog Agricultural Corp. All were situated in Davao del Norte subsequently merged as one, Diamond Farms, Inc. being the surviving company. DFI is mainly devoted to exporting quality bananas to foreign market. However, it is also involved in other agro-industrial businesses. The company produces bananas ion various forms such as by hand, cluster, single finger, and loose finger. DFI is one of the banana producers of DOLE Philippines, which has markets in Japan, China, Middle East, New Zealand and Korea. The field practice in the company involved primarily in the post-production handling of banana. Processes included were pre-calibration, harvesting, receiving and inspection of raw materials, dehanding, selecting, clustering, weighing, labeling and packaging box forming and gluing preparation box marking -coding, packing, unloading of boxes from other areas quality sampling, palletizing and van loading. Packing of bananas was compared according to each quality and according to each market process were observed. Waste management practices, good manufacturing practices, manpower requirements and management aspect of operation were also considered in this practicum study. In this study, the student learned the importance of being involved in the actual work to understand and explain processes better. Theories and concepts taught in class are understood better if they are being put into practice. Also, the student learned the effect of proper handling of produce, especially in post-production handling operations, to the quality of the products, which may cause gains or losses to the company. The student observed as well some of the problems encountered by the company in their processing operations. These problems, in one way or another, lead to diminishing the quality of the products and thus must be responded properly and immediately. Solutions to the observed problems and other recommendations in the banana processing are then proposed to further improve their operations, minimize losses and gain more profit, not only for the company but also for the banana industry, as one of the major dollar earners of the country.

Language

English

LC Subject

Fruit--Postharvest technology, Fruit--Postharvest losses.

Call Number

LG 993.5 2010 A2 D36

Document Type

Thesis

Download

Share

COinS