Nature, extent, and causes of post-harvest losses at fisher and farmer level: An in-depth study

Abstract

Post-harvest loss (PHL) in fisheries and aquaculture is critical because of its impact on welfare and economic growth. However, precise estimations of PHL are more challenging in developing countries, mainly due to poor data as well as unorganized landing points and markets. This study estimated PHL at the fisher and farmer level, applying the questionnaire loss assessment method (QLAM) and drawing from random interviews with 2582 fisherfolk, covering 446 markets and 202 inland capture and aquaculture fish species in Bangladesh. The estimated post-harvest loss in quantity and monetary value was 20.83 kg/ton (i.e., 2.08%) and $82.45 per ton in inland capture and 6.84 kg/ton (i.e., 0.68%) and $20.90 per ton in inland aquaculture. Thus, the country is losing about $102 million (25,740 tons) from inland capture at the fisher level and $52 million (17,022 tons) from aquaculture at the farmer level. Market loss was higher than physical loss for both inland capture and aquaculture. River fish and pond fish experienced higher losses as inland capture and aquaculture species respectively. However, estimated post-harvest losses were higher for hilsha (Tenualosa ilisha) and puti (Puntius chola) in inland capture and for rui (Labeo rohita) and mrigel (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) in inland aquaculture. Delayed selling, high temperature, and excess supply were critical causes of physical and market losses for both inland capture and aquaculture. Adoption of modern harvesting technologies and the improvement of storage capacity at landing and selling points are recommended for reducing post-harvest loss of inland capture and aquaculture species.