Commodity system assessment studies on the postharvest handling and marketing of tomatoes in Nigeria, Rwanda and Maharashtra, India

Kitinoja, Lisa; Odeyemi, Olubukola; Dubey, Neeru; Musanase, Solange; Gill, Gurbinder Singh

doi:10.22077/jhpr.2019.2060.1040

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ The Postharvest Education Foundation PO Box 38, La Pine, Oregon 97739 USA

² Department of Horticulture, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

³ Amity International Center for Post-Harvest Technology & Cold Chain Management. Amity Institute of Horticulture Studies & Research, Amity University-Uttar Pradesh, Noida-201301

⁴ University of Rwanda, Bushogo, Rwanda

⁵ Agribusiness Associates Inc., Davis, California, 95618 USA

https://doi.org/10.22077/jhpr.2019.2060.1040

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify and quantify the main causes and sources of losses in the tomato postharvest chain from harvest to retail market and identify appropriate interventions for reducing these losses in Nigeria, Rwanda and India. Research method: Modified Commodity Systems Assessment Methodology on tomato was conducted in the study area during the July - August 2017 harvest season. Findings: Generally, production is increasing with high postharvest losses. Tomato postharvest losses were uniformly high on the farm during harvest but generally lower during marketing in India than in Rwanda or Nigeria. Nigeria loses 10-40% of tomato produced from the farm to the retail market due to poor handling and unavailability of storage facilities. In Rwanda, tomato losses were exceedingly high, reaching 50 to 60%. These losses begin with the use of poor quality seeds to rough handling and use of inappropriate packaging materials. Losses in India varied between 1-18% mainly due to pest and disease attack and low price realization during glut season. However, in India, improved practices have been widely adopted on farm to retail market. Limitations: Resources were limited, so a single two week time period were randomly selected to conduct each of the studies which focused on one state, district or region, so data cannot be used to describe losses for the entire country. Originality/Value: These studies identified priority tomato postharvest problems, key issues that currently limit market access, earnings for small farmers and rural marketer, training and advocacy issues for the three countries.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Postharvest Biology and Technology

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Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research

Commodity system assessment studies on the postharvest handling and marketing of tomatoes in Nigeria, Rwanda and Maharashtra, India

References

References

Volume 2, Special Issue - Postharvest Losses - Serial Number 4
June 2019
June 2019
Pages 1-14

Commodity system assessment studies on the postharvest handling and marketing of tomatoes in Nigeria, Rwanda and Maharashtra, India

References

References

Volume 2, Special Issue - Postharvest Losses - Serial Number 4June 2019June 2019Pages 1-14

Volume 2, Special Issue - Postharvest Losses - Serial Number 4
June 2019
June 2019
Pages 1-14