Assessing post-harvest handling practices and challenges among tomato farmers and retailers in some selected districts in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Abstract

In most developing countries like Ghana, post-harvest loss of tomato has become a critical issue which bothers on the degree of produce perishability and inevitable cost to tomato handlers within the tomato value chain. The Post-Harvest Loss Value Chain Model was explored to critically analyse the post-harvest handling practices, examine the causes, challenges and treatment methods used by tomato farmers and retailers in four selected districts in the Upper West Region of Ghana namely Wa Municipal, Wa West District, Wa East District and Jirapa District. The mixed method research design was used for the study as the study employed both qualitative and quantitative source of data. The study population was all tomato farmers and retailers in the four selected districts in the Upper West Region. The sample size consist of forty-one (41) tomato farmers, fifty-seven (57) tomato retailers and four (4) Agricultural Extension Officers. The sampling techniques used were convenience and purposive. Survey questionnaires and structured interview were the instruments used to gather data for the study. Data from the study revealed that about 97% of tomato handlers harvested the produce in the morning in its matured ripped red state. About 42% of tomato handlers do not sort, grade and pre-cool their produce after harvest. The study established mechanical damage, infestation of pest and diseases, over ripening and poor packaging as some of the causes of post-harvest loss of tomato. Again, data from the study revealed that inadequate irrigation facilities, lack of storage facilities, poor road networks and inappropriate means of transport, low price of produce and high cost of production were the challenges facing tomato handlers. The study also found that sun drying of tomatoes was the common treatment method employed in the study area for preserving tomatoes.