Effect of postharvest losses on profits of tomatoes sellers in Kampala District

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This study assesses the effect of postharvest losses on the profits of tomato sellers in Kampala district. A sample of 60 respondents was randomly selected from fresh food markets the study area and a questionnaire was administered to collect the relevant primary data. Objectives of the study were: To characterize the tomato sellers in Kampala district, assess the factors influencing postharvest losses determine the constraints facing tomato sellers in Kampala district. Data generated during the study was analyzed using the statistical package of social scientists (SPSS). Data analysis methods used include descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Results from the study show that majority (63.3%) of the tomato retailers are female. Linear regression results indicated that age of the traders, owning a stall in the market, access to credit and receiving training had a significant relationship with the quantity of tomatoes lost among the traders. The study indicates that the main challenges faced by the tomato retailers include rotting, bad weather (rain), theft, less exposure to customers and floating market. The study recommends that tomato sellers get exposed to training in order to acquire better skills to reduce the postharvest losses that the face. In addition, the government should ensure better infrastructure such as storage facilities. (346.2Kb)
Author
Omuron, Deogratius
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http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12281/5327
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