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