POST-HARVEST LOSS ASSESSMENT OF TOMATO IN SOME SELECTED AREAS OF BANGLADESH

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. Descriptive statistics was used to estimate the post-harvest losses at different stages and a multiple linear regression model was carried out to estimate the factors affecting post-harvest losses at farm level. The major post-harvest activities practiced by the farmers and intermediaries were harvesting, grading, cleaning, 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 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.78,540 per hectare and at traders level was Tk.1,28,258. 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.