Effect of post harvest losses on smallholder tomato farmers in Kyarusozi sub-county Kyenjojo district
Abstract
The major purpose of the study was to analyze the effect of postharvest losses on smallholder
tomato farmers in Kyarusozi Sub county Kyenjojo district. The specific objectives of the study
were: To determine characteristics of tomato farmers, to examine the post-harvest handling
techniques and to determine profit and loss margins of tomato farmers in Kyarusozi Sub county
Kyenjojo district The data collected from the sampled tomato farmers were analyzed using
descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages were presented by tables and graphs to answer
the objectives of study. Data was coded for completeness, and processed using computer
software called the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS).This was used to analyze
quantitative data. This is chosen because it is able to compute all the statistical quantities that are
required for the interpretation of the data that was collected from the field by the researcher.
Well-designed questionnaires were used to collect data from 60farmers. These data were coded
and entered into SPSS (version 16.0) computer software for analysis. The results showed that
majority of tomato farmers the use basins as packaging materials. However a limited number of
farmers use boxes and sacks for packaging and then transport them to the market. So the
research observed and concluded that at post production level a significant proportion (15-25 %)
of the produce get spoiled due to improper post-harvest handling practices, which causes huge
economic loss to the growers. A majority of farmers use other means in transporting pineapples
trucks to transport their tomatoes from the garden to home and then to the market. A small
portion of the farmers use pickups, bicycles and the least use motorcycles and this has increased
on post-harvest losses. The study recommends that the government and relevant authorities
should utilize their available media houses such as television, radios nearby to sensitize the
farmers on how to use proper affordable post-harvest management techniques, for example, the
use of modern storage equipment such perforated boxes in various post-harvest stages in
production