Characterization of pre- and postharvest losses of tomato supply chain in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Tomato has significant economic importance in Ethiopia. Although quantitative evidence is limited, postharvest loss in tomato is considerably high. This study presents qualitative and quantitative postharvest losses of tomato. The study was conducted in 2015 in two districts (Bora and Dugda) located in East Shewa Zone of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia, located southeast of Addis Ababa. Primary data were collected from producers (smallholder farmers) and traders via household survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews as well as estimation of losses based on samples. Secondary data and information were collected from published and unpublished sources. Results:Results indicate that tomato production is being done by relatively young married individuals who have at least primary level education. About three-quarter of land holding is allocated for vegetable production, which largely takes place under irrigation during dry season. All sample producers sold more than 95% of their tomato produce, mostly to wholesalers as compared to collectors and retailers. Postharvest losses occur at collectors, wholesalers and retailers level. The finding indicates that more than 16% of respondents encounter produce losses due to high incidence of diseases, insect pest and mechanical injuries, each of them accounting for more than 20% of postharvest losses. Conclusions:The findings from our study underscore that the ability of actors to mitigate postharvest losses is limited due to lack of technical know-how. They also lack necessary support and complementary resources to improve postharvest handling practices and technology.

Evaluation of post-harvest tomato practices (lycopersicum sculentum)

“…It is important to make an adjustment in the tomato production chain to improve yields, benefits, and reduction of waste. Many of the post-harvest losses occur at the level of wholesalers and retailers, the main factors being diseases, the presence of pests, insects, mechanical damage, representing about 20% of the losses each of these factors (Emana et al, 2017).…”

Assessing the Factor that Determines Enterprise Risk Management: Special Emphasis on Tomato Production Value Chains in East Showa zone, Ethiopia

“…The production of tomato is getting high in those districts due to the supply of water at the adjacent lakes and availability of more than 5000 narrow wells dug for the sake of irrigations. In additions, the temperature is absolutely conducive for tomato production throughout the year (Emana, et al, 2017)…”

Inoculation of tomato plants with rhizobacteria suppresses development of whitefly Bemisia tabaci (GENNADIUS) (HEMIPTERA: ALEYRODIDAE): Agro-ecological application

“…Tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) is an important and one of the most widely grown vegetable crops in the world [1,2]. Recently, there has been more emphasis on tomato production, as it is not only considered as a source of vitamins, but also as a source of income and a major contributor towards food security [3]. However, there are many constraints to tomato production, including the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius)(Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) [4,5], which is a vector of germinivirus like TYLCV (Tomato Yellow leaf Curl Virus) [6].…”