In the coming decades the human species will reach the figure of 9.000 million people. To feed ourselves we would have to increase food production by 70%. But, in the current scenario, half of the food is lost on the way from the garden to the consumer, due to mismanagement, losses or insufficiencies of various kinds.

In this context, agricultural activity must not only redouble and be more productive, but must also be much more efficient in the entire post-harvest process, to ensure that the products do not perish soon and enjoy a longer life to arrive in good terms for consumers.

diplomat

Between July 24 and October 11, an International Diploma in Postharvest Management of Fruits and Vegetables will be held, which aims to carry out a systematic, multidisciplinary and integrating approach to the different aspects of the post-harvest agricultural process, which has great national and international relevance, both for production for domestic consumption and for the agro-export industry, making it possible to improve competitiveness at all levels.

Objectives

The objective of this Diploma is to provide knowledge about physiological processes and existing technological tools to ensure quality and reduce postharvest deterioration of fruits and vegetables, strengthening the training of specialized human capital.

It is about analyzing the importance, problems and challenges of the fruit and vegetable producing and marketing sector within the context of the post-harvest system. Understand the main physiological and biochemical processes that affect the development and composition, quality and deterioration of fruits and vegetables, and transfer the scientific and practical knowledge generated by the Center for Postharvest Studies of the University of Chile and other national and international institutions of recognized prestige on harvesting, selection, cold chain, atmospheres, transport and marketing.

Unique in Latam

In conversation with Dr. Víctor H. Escalona, ​​one of those responsible for the Diploma, he tells us that this Diploma has been held for the third time and explains that there are many like it in the world, in the United States and Europe, but he clarifies that “ In Latin America we are the only Postharvest Diploma. There are meetings or congresses, but not a Diploma like this one”, and he adds:

"The other notable factor is that we do it mainly by three Chilean specialist professors, with vast experience in Chilean fruit and vegetable activity, from the University of Chile, so we do it from similar experiences and from the same perspective to face this strategic stage. in agricultural activity.

"We want to convey how post-harvest is done from Chile, with the image of the University of Chile and backed by the long experience of the Chilean industry," he concludes.

Participants

The Diploma is aimed at professionals and technicians in the area of ​​agricultural sciences, engineering, biochemistry, food, economics or similar with an interest in acquiring knowledge in the management and post-harvest technology of fruit and vegetable products.

The classes will be taught in 84 hours in a distance mode, in a theoretical-practical methodological proposal, through the Zoom Classroom platform, which allows greater interaction between the speaker and the participants. The classes will be live and will be recorded for later use by attendees and will be available up to a week after each module ends.

The 84 hours will be distributed in 8 modules and there will be 4 hours per day, with 3 breaks of 10 minutes each. At the end of each module there will be a live written evaluation and classes will be held twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 17.00:21.00 p.m. to 9.00:13.00 p.m. and only one Saturday, from XNUMX:XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., to carry out the practical laboratory sessions.

Certification

The Diploma has the certification of the Extension Department of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Chile, which will grant a Certificate of ATTENDANCE to those who participate in at least 75% of the sessions synchronously and the Certificate of APPROVAL of the Diploma to those who meet the minimum attendance and obtain a grade equal to or greater than 4 in all evaluations (grades from 1 to 7, 4 corresponds to the minimum to pass).

Registration

The cost of the Diploma is $1.450.000 Chilean pesos (WITHOUT SENCE) or USD 2.100 (deposits from abroad). There is a 15% discount for payment made in advance (until July 3). For accredited undergraduate students there will be a 50% discount.

Those responsible are Dr. Víctor H. Escalona C., Dr. Reinaldo Campos V. and Dr. Luis Luchsinger L. The Diploma will be taught completely online through Zoom Classroom and on the UCURSO platform, of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Chile.

Contact: Mrs. Daniela Cárdenas: dcardenas@uchile.cl; Mr. Victor Escalona: vescalona@uchile.cl