Economic analysis of post-harvest losses in Tomato and Pumpkin supply chains in Central Uganda

Abstract

Tomatoes and pumpkins have remained a significant part of peoples’ daily diet in many households and the need for their commercial production is receiving increasing attention both nationally and globally. This study therefore sought to analyse the economic importance of post-harvest losses along the tomato and pumpkin supply chains in central Uganda. The study was conducted in Nakaseke and Luwero districts. The study used a randomly selected sample of 359 farmers and 185 traders selected from markets where farmers sell their produce. Descriptive statistics and the fractional logit model were used to analyse the data. The results show that pest and disease damage and poor handling and harvesting methods are the major causes of post-harvest losses for both tomato and pumpkin farmers. Results further show that, protection from too much sunshine and harvesting at physiological maturity are the main strategies used by pumpkin farmers to reduce post-harvest losses. Whereas harvesting during morning or evening hours and proper handling at harvest are the main strategies used by tomato farmers to reduce post-harvest losses. The results from the fractional logit model show that for farmers, years of experience in tomato/pumpkin farming and education level of the farmer significantly reduce post-harvest losses. While distance from the source of supply to the market significantly and positively increased post-harvest losses. Based on the study results, it is recommended that, emphasis should be put at training tomato and pumpkin farmers on proper handling and harvesting methods and pest and disease management. In addition acquisition of appropriate storage facilities and cold systems should be emphasized more at storage stage for tomato and pumpkin traders along with appropriate transport means and good road networks if tomato and pumpkin traders are to minimise post-harvest losses. Keywords: Post-harvest losses and Economic analysis