Post-harvest losses along the value chain of Ragogi ( Brycinus nurse) at Dei landing site on Lake Albert, Pakwach District

Abstract

The study assesses post-harvest fish losses along the value chain of Ragogi (Brycinus nurse) at Dei landing site on Lake Albert, Pakwach District, Uganda. Load tracking method of loss assessment was used to estimate the quality loss of B. nurses at the landing site. A survey was also conducted on 65 different actors along the values chain. The data were analyzed using the fish loss model, regression model, and descriptive statistics like frequency, percentage, and standard deviation.

The results of the study revealed that fishermen experienced an average quality loss of 3.14% daily from B. nurse landed. Causes of post-harvest fish losses in the study area include delay returning to landing after fishing, very long bargaining time at first point-of-sale while fish is kept on the ground, drying already spoiled/poor-quality B. nurse and processing fish under unhygienic conditions. Other causes include; drying fish unsupervised on the ground, breakage or damage owing to inadequate packaging methods and materials, adverse weather conditions, and the market forces of Supply and demand. Conclusively, to improve the livelihood of the fishing community and ensure food security, post-harvest losses should be averted through policy formulation geared towards reducing post-harvest losses, creation of awareness, provision of infrastructural facilities, and training