**3. Challenges of postharvest losses in vegetable crops**

Application of good postharvest management practices which are supported by good technologies and also improving postharvest systems will maintain the quality of vegetables and reduce quantitative losses. Losses in vegetables are the result of (i) poor knowledge about the right harvesting index; thus, a large proportion of the harvested beans are usually over-mature (ii) poor handling practices, such as the use of plastic sacks for bulk packaging and transportation

which results in mechanical damage that serves as entry points for disease-causing organisms leading to rotting of the pods (iii) poor transport practices such as the use of trucks that have no cover, thus exposing the produce to direct sunlight and high temperature (iv) the absence of low-temperature storage facilities and transport systems, and (v) rough handling practices during distribution in retail markets.
