Food security (including food safety and quality) depends on sustainable post-harvest management of food commodities, either at the household level or in the supply chain from producer to consumer. NRI works in support of food security and safety by:

• improving post-harvest technologies and management systems to enhance the marketability of fresh and processed products for domestic and international markets
  
  
• developing and improving post-harvest treatments against pests, pathogens and physiological disorders, with emphasis on non-chemical methods
  
  
• implementing quality assessment and quality assurance systems, including non-destructive techniques and the application of HACCP (hazard analysis critical control points) methodology
  
  
• contributing to germplasm management through characterization and evaluation of durable and perishable crops with regard to their agronomic, storage and processing potential, and to their biochemical and nutritional properties.