Factors Influencing Tomato Post-harvest Losses in Mwea, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Mugao, Lydia G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJMRGE
Abstract
Tomato is an important vegetable crop in Kenya which is widely grown for home
consumption and commercial purposes. However, the crop is faced with a number of
challenges including post-harvest losses which is a major threat to harvested produce.
Presence of losses in a crop indicates wastage of resources that were put in place
during production. Periodic surveys are necessary to help understand the severity and
causes of losses in a specific place at a specific time. The aim of this study was to
survey on the severity and causes of tomato postharvest losses in Mwea, Kenya.
During the survey, sixty-eight farmers were randomly selected and interviewed using
structured questionnaire and factors influencing tomato postharvest losses
documented. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the information collected from
the respondents. Results showed that the most common varieties grown by farmers at
the time of survey were Kilele F1and Roma V.F (80.0% and 10.0% respectively).
Factors influencing tomato postharvest losses were; poor means of transport (10.63%),
and time lag in the market. The common pests that were found attacking tomato fruits
were; American bollworms (68.5%), birds (1.2%), spider mites (19.8%), and thrips
(8.1%). The most common diseases were; Fusarium rot (45.3%), Bacterial soft rot
(50%), and Phoma rot (4.7%). The average losses estimated from the study was 72.0%.
The study recommended that the farmers should avail themselves to seminars on fruit
handling during harvesting and transport and the new tomato varieties that are resistant
to pests and diseases and with good keeping quality.
Description
Article
Keywords
Losses, Post-harvest, Tomato
Citation
Mugao, L. G. (2023). Factors Influencing Tomato Post-harvest Losses in Mwea, Kenya.