M.Khatun
Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur
M. A. Haque
Principal Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur
M. R.Karim
Principal Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur
S. Khandoker
Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur
S. Hossain
Chief Scientific Officer
Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur
The study was conducted in Dinajpur, Jessore and Comilla district to identify and estimate post harvest practices and losses of tomato at farmers and intermediaries level. In total 180 tomato growing farmers and traders, out of which 30 farmers and 30 traders from each three district were selected randomly. The average post harvest losses were estimated to be 15.37 percent and 10 percent at the farmers’ and intermediaries level, respectively. The harvesting loss was found highest (6 percent) as compared to grading, packaging, storing and transporting. On the other hand, the losses of tomato were found highest for Beparies (6.3 percent) followed by Paikers (2 percent) and retailers (1.5 percent) due to transportation and selling. Monetary loss at farmers’ level was found about Tk.78540 per hectare and at traders level was Tk.128258. At national level monetary loss was recorded about Tk.52.31 crore during 2009-10. Important factors leading harvesting losses were due to early and delayed harvesting and insect infestation. Lack of storage facility and low price of tomato were the major problems at the farmers and traders level. Provision of improved mode of transportation and storage and price support to the farmers is thereby recommended to minimize losses in tomatoes.
Post harvest assessment , post harvest loss, factors responsible and tomato.
Comilla, Jessore and Dinajpur disricts
• To identify the post harvest practices of tomato production and marketing,
• To estimate the post harvest losses of tomato in production and marketing level,
• To identify the factors responsible for post harvest losses and some measures to reduce the losses.
Three major tomato growing districts of Bangladesh namely Comilla, Jessore and Dinajpur were selected for this study. These three districts contribute more than 25 percent towards the country’s tomato production (BBS, 2009). A multistage sampling technique was followed for this study. The selected study areas were located in the sadar upazila of Jessore and Dinajpur district, and Chandina and Burichang upazila of Comilla district. In total 180 tomatos growing farmers and traders, out of which 30 farmers and 30 traders from each district were selected randomly. Descriptive statistics such as averages and percentages were used to compute the post harvest losses. Information about post harvest losses was obtained from the households during following operations: (i) harvesting, (ii) grading, (iii) storage, (iv) packaging and (v) transportation. A functional analysis was carried out to examine the factors affecting post harvest losses at farm level.
Annual Research Report 2011-2012, Agricultural Economics Division, BARI, Gazipur
The major post harvest activities practiced by the farmers and intermediaries were harvesting, grading, clearing, storing, packaging and transporting. The average post harvest losses were estimated to be 15.37 percent and 10 percent at the farmers’ and intermediaries level, respectively. The average quantity of tomatoes purchased by Beparies in four month was 122667kg. The average total loss of tomato at Beparies’ level in all areas was 6.3 percent of total tomato bought. During buying and selling 2 percent loss of tomato was found at paiker's level. The average loss of all areas was found to be 1.5 percent of total tomato bought at the retailers' level. Monetary loss at farmers’ level was found about Tk.78540 per hectare and at traders level was Tk.128258. At national level monetary loss was recorded about Tk.52.31 crore during 2009-10.Important factors leading harvesting losses were due to early and delayed harvesting and insect infestation. Product price, farming experience and suitable packaging materials had negative and total production and rainfall had positive and significant relationship with total post harvest losses. Lack of storage facility, low price of tomato and unfavorable transportation system were the major problems at the farmers and traders level. Provision of improved mode of transportation and storage and price support to the farmers is thereby recommended to minimize losses in tomatoes.
Report/Proceedings