INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
CONTRIBUTORS
Covid-19 has changed the playing arena
By Jan Lievens
Ignoring problems can lead to serious consequences.
Learn to face challenges head on.
The industry faces challenges. It is now
what you do when you face these
challenges that matters most.
Unfortunately, it seems as if people are
reacting by just following others, and this
action is nothing more than ignoring the
problem. They all pretend that they aren’t
involved, and either deal with the
problems last-minute, or hope that they go
away by themselves.
Ignoring problems may seem like a good
solution, after all, if you ignore a problem
then chances are it isn’t bothering you that
much. But ignoring problems can also lead
to more serious challenges, some of which
may be hard to face. The consequences
of ignoring problems in proper post-harvest
treatments and technologies are, in this
case, huge.
and the whole industry may face
substantial consequences as a result.
A recent presentation in Chile, had a
simple but serious statement – the ‘big
question’ at the 9th International Table
Grape Symposium held in February
2020 was simple: “How do we see
South African fruit?”
With a notable difference between
the fruit in the field compared with the
fruit at arrival at its destination, we have a
‘Technical Challenge’ as it was named.
Trust me, it's not as if the outside world
doesn't already know, but ‘out of sight
equals out of mind’ as I’m sure you have
heard the old saying? Well let me tell you
our ‘technical challenge’ is definitely in
sight internationally, and tends to become
progressively worse over time.
and business will be even more fulfilling
and enjoyable. Pretending problems do
not exist doesn’t solve anything, it teaches
you that it’s okay to not take the needed
action, and can in many cases make
situations worse for you – sometimes in ways
you don’t even realise, where the impacts
are far-reaching.
On the other hand, those that do
address problems directly take the action
when facing any type of challenge and
are more likely to see real change in their
lives and businesses. Out of sight, out of
mind cannot apply to certain instances
as I’m sure you may be aware and have
experienced first-hand.
Some however, never seem to really
understand the principle that problems
do not go away when ignored. Why is
Jan Lievens, born in Belgium, is
a graduate civil engineering(B)
and international senior
consultant for engineered
applied postharvest technology
at UTE South Africa. With over
20 years of experience in this
field, he is widely regarded
as a specialist in the fruit-,
vegetable- and flower industry
One of the particular issues popping
up is that sales are slower and produce
stands much longer in storage. Hence the
importance of looking after the shelf life of
your goods.
Before anything else, it’s important to
realise that it is impossible to ever truly
ignore a problem. Even if you’re not
It’s never going away, and even while
this issue is ignored the result is in fact
affecting the industry as a whole in unseen
ways. Remember, nature never breaks
her own laws and the Covid-19 pandemic
is simply bringing bad post-harvest
practices to the fore as supply chains have
experienced different or new challenges.
this? Why do we ignore problems instead
of dealing with them? We have all
experienced the freedom associated with
finally resolving an issue that has hung
around our necks like a one-ton anchor.
To be able to take a deep breath,
exhale and experience freedom is an
experience we should want to duplicate.
with regards to humidity,
airborne bacteria and ethylene
removal, both locally and
internationally. Furthermore, he
also designed airflow-friendly
packaging systems for the
industry with proven results.
thinking about it and not doing anything
about it, you still know about the problem
subconsciously. This is important, because
a problem that you are ignoring can still
ARE THERE BENEFITS OF TACKLING
THESE PROBLEMS HEAD ON?
Imagine what could happen if you just
But, unfortunately, we are not that
sensible. We choose to avoid facing our
problems because the effort seems too
overwhelming; the mountain is too high, the
cause you to feel stress, anxiety, and in
make the effort! If the industry would learn
task is too big, I owe too much, or it will take
minds; staring us in the face, haunting
some cases depression, even though
to face the challenges, it could be an
too long. The same applies for the above-
our alone time.
you’re not consciously thinking about it.
opportunity for training that would result in
mentioned industry challenge, that is really
Now and in future, when you get
When we ignore a problem, we put it
better management of the issues faced.
a major stumbling block for the sector.
thoughts of putting off action for a later
in the back of our minds. But it is not gone
Then, should you experience another similar
The downside to taking no action is
time, do the opposite. It is high-time
from our minds. Our subconscious still thinks
challenge, you can immediately apply
that things get worse. When we ignore
the industry gets pro-active. It will really
about it. Indeed, it also takes a mental
what you have learnt from the past and
our problems they grow and become
change your life and business. Ask our
effort to try to ignore a problem, and that
focus on solutions.
bigger problems and we carry this
clients that are now all award-winning
effort itself can cause additional stress.
Being solutions-focused means that
burden around the entire time. So, even
teams, worldwide, without exception.
But beyond that, ignored problems
when you need a change, you’ll be able
though we are trying to ignore them,
Coincidence? Nope. They all tackled their
can only become worse problems
to find it, and eventually your farming life
our problems are ever-present in our
challenges head on.
CLA
COLD LINK AFRICA • September 2020 www.coldlinkafrica.co.za 35