An assessment of post-harvest management methods among tomato traders in Kampala District

Abstract

Tomatoes are a critical element of both the diet and economy in Kampala District, playing a significant role in local agriculture and trade. Due to their perishable nature, tomatoes face substantial challenges during the post-harvest phase. Effective post-harvest management is essential for maintaining tomato quality, extending shelf life, and ensuring the economic viability for traders. Despite the adoption of various post-harvest methods, there is limited understanding of the associated economic losses. This study focuses on evaluating postharvest management methods among tomato traders in three central markets in Kampala. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; To estimate post-harvest losses of tomatoes by retail traders, to determine the factors that influence the amount of post-harvest losses experienced by retail traders and to document the different methods and techniques used by retail traders to extend the shelf life of tomatoes in markets of Kampala district. A sample of 150 traders was surveyed to achieve this objective. Primary data was collected and analyzed using SPSS. The findings revealed that the average amount of tomatoes handled per week per kg was UGX 6976.87. There was a significant variability in spoilage rates, with mean losses averaging 68.73 kg per week. Total losses, including spoilage, diseases, and pests, showed a mean loss of 55.09 kg per week. The equivalent losses in monetary terms yielded an average of 131,340.88 shillings per week. In conclusion, the more experienced traders and those who received training experienced fewer losses. Conversely, larger quantities purchased were associated with higher losses, likely due to storage constraints. The most commonly used handling method was plastic crates (76.0% of traders), while ash and sand were the least used (10.0% of traders). These results underscore the importance of enhancing storage facilities, improving handling practices, and implementing effective pest and disease management strategies to boost the profitability and sustainability of tomato trading in Kampala.