Post-harvest losses in tomato and fresh bean production in Tokat province of Turkey

Abstract

In the present study, behaviors of farmers in Tokat Province towards marketing of tomato and fresh bean were studied. Basic material of the study was the data obtained from tomato and fresh bean producing farmers in Central District of Tokat Province using a face-to-face questionnaire. Simple Randomized Sampling Method was used to determine the sample size. Available marketing facilities, problems related to them and losses due to these problems were determined. The level of farmers’ awareness in marketing and their efforts to gain more information about it were also revealed. Findings showed that, annual income level had an effect on harvest and storage in tomato. The producers with higher incomes made better harvest and transportation. They also stored their product after the harvest. According to the results, advanced techniques and alternatives in tomato and fresh bean harvest and marketing were not known by the farmers in the area. The farmers were not aware of the benefits of alternative techniques. Even if they were in need of making changes in marketing, they were not informed and equipped about how they could do it. After an efficient training program, effects of experience, educational level and annual income could be more apparent. Key words: Post-harvest losses, marketing losses, tomato, fresh bean, storage, packing, grading.