Estimation of post-harvest losses on vegetable value chain in Lusaka open market.
Date
2025
Authors
Mwamba, Josephine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Vegetables are highly perishable and lack of storage facilities affects their marketability. Once vegetables are separated from their source of nutrients (plant) they undergo higher rates of respiration, resulting in moisture loss, quality and nutrient degradation, and potential microbial spoilage (Alegbeleye et el, 2022). Post-harvest losses (PHLs) contributes to organic waste in the market. Hence, Post-harvest food loss is a contributor to food insecurity in Zambia. The aim of this study was to estimate post-harvest loss on vegetable value chain in Lusaka city region, Zambia. The objectives of this study was to estimate the quantity of food losses at various nodes of the vegetable value chain in Lusaka city region, to investigate the main causes of post-harvest losses and coping mechanisms being used to reduce the losses at the retail stages. An instrumental case study design was employed in seven districts of Lusaka city food region using secondary quantitative data from the Africities Food Project, and primary qualitative data from purposively sampled local market authorities and retailers at Soweto open market in Lusaka city. The data was analyzed through thematic analysis and descriptive statistics using Minitab software. The results showed the quality loss of tomatoes to be 68.6%, and the loss of fresh vegetables to be 66.1%. The common causes of post-harvest losses in Lusaka region were mishandling (22.9%), high temperatures (20.1%), lack of storage facilities (17%), and pests or disease attacks (13.9%). Coping mechanisms employed were keeping the produce cool to avoid damage by the sun (23%), separating the injured, diseased or decayed produce from the fine produce (21%), proper clean storage (18%), avoid injury at all costs (15%), assess maturity and quality of produce immediately the produce arrives at the market (13%), and drying (10%). Post-Harvest Loss (PHL) of vegetables is considered to be a major problem for farmers and other actors’ involved along their supply chain. To reduce the post harvest losses of vegetables, agricultural training and extension services should be given to farmers and other actors on proper pre harvest practice, postharvest handling, type of packaging used, transportation system and storage condition and marketing systems.
Description
Thesis of Master of Science in Human Geography.