Postharvest Loss Assessment of Banana(Musa spp.) at Jimma Town Market

Abstract

Postharvest losses of banana in the supply chain with the total loss found to be 26.5% of which more percent of the total loss being at the retail market (64.10%) and wholesale level (35.90%). Mechanical damage followed by improper transport and improper storage were identified as the main causes of banana loss at wholesale level while fruit rotting followed by improper ripening and mechanical damage were identified as the main causes to the loss of banana fruit at retail level.As a results , the current postharvest management system of banana both at wholesale and retail levels is inadequate. The postharvest management of banana has not been given sufficient attention in the area hence, fruit handlers lack information about postharvest handling practices. It was also observed that there is a knowledge gap between the respondents in their experience of proper fruit handling techniques. Therefore, to reduce the level of postharvest losses of banana in jimma market, focus should be given to postharvest handling practices. The loss can be minimized by awareness creation, education and training about the importance of postharvest losses, adopting better management operations, careful handling and packaging to the supply chain actors. Keywords: Cause of post harvest losses, Post harvest loss ,Post harvest management DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/119-01 Publication date: September 30 th 202 2