Evaluation of postharvest losses of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruits along the value chain during the pandemic lockdown in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Postharvest loss of fresh produce is a major challenge in developing countries like Nigeria. Mismanaged handlings of produce leads to  significant challenges such as malnutrition and food insecurity among others. The study evaluated the postharvest losses of tomato fruits  along the value chain in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria between March and June, 2020. Semi-structured informal interviews on the  types and causes of postharvest loss of tomato were conducted with 168 key value chain actors comprising of farmers (25), wholesalers  (67), retailers (52) and 24 consumers. Descriptive statistics such as percentage and frequency were used to analyse the data. Results  showed that farmers estimated 48.1% loss from bumper harvest during the lockdown; Retailers estimated 34% loss to convey delay and  bad road network, wholesalers estimated 47.4% loss due to lack of storage facilities followed by with consumers reporting 37% from  purchasing low quality fruits despite the high price. In summary, most of the postharvest losses of tomatoes were due to bad road network, rickety busses, bad packaging materials, poor handling and government policies among others which were not attended to pre- pandemic lockdown. This study therefore suggest policy intervention which would assist the government and other agricultural related  bodies to rise to the call of reducing postharvest loss of fresh produce including tomato fruit to improve the livelihood of value actors  such as improving accessible link roads, installing affordable and sustainable cold storage facilities and training the farmers and  marketers on best postharvest handling practices in developing countries like Nigeria.