Publications

CDCS^® led the development of a first of its kind Grading Manual for a Standardized Grading System for Selected Fruits and Vegetables as part of a strategic intervention under the Swisscontact-Katalyst program inpartnership with Grameenphone. This pioneering effort marked a significant step toward formalizing quality standards in Bangladesh’s fresh produce market—helping to improve transparency, pricing fairness, and market access for farmers and traders alike.

 

The manual covers a diverse range of high-value crops including green chili, dry chili, coriander, cucumber, brinjal, several potato varieties (Diamant, Cardinal, Granola, Lady Rosetta), pumpkin, maize, banana (Sagar), and mango (Himsagar, Langra, Ashwina). It establishes clear grading criteria based on physical attributes (such as size, shape, and color), technological suitability for processing, and organoleptic qualities including taste, texture, aroma, and ripeness.

 

Through this initiative, CDCS^® has provided a vital tool for producers, traders, and processors to standardize quality assessment, reduce postharvest losses, and improve product consistency—ultimately contributing to a more competitive, efficient, and trust-based agro-value chain in Bangladesh. The manual remains a cornerstone reference for market actors seeking to meet buyer expectations and unlock better returns for quality produce.

 

Authors: Sheikh Morshed Jahan, Syeda Farzana Morshed