Post-harvest Practices Study in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala Districts

Present Status of Post-harvest Practices of Guava (Psidium guajava), Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia), and Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis) in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala Districts. A.M.R.N Bandara1, Prof: G.D.K Kumara 1, Mr. W.M.C.B Wasala2 1 Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 2 National Institute Of Post-harvest Management, Anuradhapura. 1

Content for the presentation Content for the presentation Introduction Objectives Methodology Results and Discussion Conclusion Recommendations References 2

Introduction Introduction Guava, bitter gourd and long bean farming is significant in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala districts. 20-40 % vegetables 30-40 % fruits Quantitative losses Improper post-harvest management practices Qualitative losses Whole seller Farmer Collector Transporter Retailer Consumer Guava, bitter gourd and long beansupply chain 3

Objectives Objectives Overall objective To investigate the present status of post-harvest management practices of guava, bitter gourd, and long bean with respect to major stakeholders in the supply chain. Specific objectives To study the problems and challenges faced by stakeholders involved in the guava, bitter gourd, and long bean supply chain Kurunegala and Anuradhapura districts. To investigate the main causes of post-harvest losses in guava, bitter gourd, and long bean supply chain Anuradhapura and Kurunegala districs. To propose some measures to improve the current post-harvest management practices to reduce the postharvest losses in guava, bitter gourd, and long bean supply chain. 4

Methodology Methodology Study Area Farmers were selected randomly from villages of 3-4 DS divisions in Anuradhapura and Kurunegala districts. Other stakeholders were selected randomly from market places and economic centers in respective districts. Anuradhapura Kurunegala 5

Methodology cont. Methodology cont. Experimental Design Study Sample Qualitative and quantitative data on postharvest handling, packaging, and other relevant information were gathered from 213 stakeholders. Anuradhapura 148 Sample size 213 Kurunegala 65 6

Methodology cont. Methodology cont. Data collection method Data were gathered through a field survey Pre-tested semi structured questionnaires formulated separately for each category of stakeholders, were used. All respondents were contacted through face-to-face interviews or through phone calls. Each stage of stakeholders in the supply chain were asked the same questions separately based on the questionnaire. 7

Methodology cont. Methodology cont. Collected data From farmers From collectors, transporters, whole-sellers, and retailers From consumers Harvesting maturity stage Purchasing practices Harvesting tools and methods Packaging material Place of purchase Harvesting time of the day Selling methods Preference of grading Grading Transportation method Packaging details Packaging material Transportation time in the day Displaying details Selling method Transportation distance Specific post-harvest practices 8

Methodology cont. Methodology cont. Statistical analysis Descriptive statistics were presented as percentages. Chi-square tests were conducted with frequency analysis to measures qualitative data. SPSS statistical package version 26.0 was used to data analysis. 9

Results and Discussion Results and Discussion Farmer - Anuradhapura Harvesting method Harvesting time in the day 100.00% 100.00% 80.00% 76.90% 92.90% 80% 100.00% 66.70% 90.00% 70% 80.00% 60% 70.00% 50% 60.00% 40% 50.00% 40.00% 30% 20.00% 16.70% 16.70% 30.00% 15% 20% 20.00% 7.70% 7.10% 10% 0 0 0 0 10.00% 0 0 0 0 0% 0.00% Early morning Mid-day Evening Night Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Hand picking Severing with a knife Cut with a scissor 10

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Transportation vehicle Packaging material 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 90.00% 80.00% 90.00% 80.00% 80.00% 70.00% 66.70% 70.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 60.00% 50.00% 50.00% 33.30% 40.00% 33.30% 40.00% 30.00% 20% 30.00% 16.70% 30.00% 20.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0 0 0 10.00% 0 0.00% 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Plastic crates Net bag Cardboard boxes Open truck Closed truck/lorry 11

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Collector - Anuradhapura Transportation vehicle Packaging material 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 92.30% 100.00% 90.00% 90.00% 80.00% 80.00% 62.50% 70.00% 70.00% 61.50% 54.50% 60.00% 60.00% 50.00% 50.00% 36.40% 40.00% 40.00% 30.80% 25.00% 30.00% 30.00% 12.50% 20.00% 20.00% 7.70% 9.10% 7.70% 10.00% 10.00% 0 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Closed truck/lorry Open truck Three-wheeler Net bags Plastic crates Cardboard boxes 12

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Transportation time in the day 62.50% 70.00% 61.50% 60.00% 50.00% 50.00% 37.50% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 15.50% 20.00% 10.00% 10.00% 10.00% 7.70% 7.70% 7.70% 10.00% 0 0 0 0.00% Early morning Mid day Evening Night Any time during the day Guava Bitter gourd Long bean 13

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Transporter - Anuradhapura Packaging material Transportation time in the day 92.30% 100.00% 70.00% 62.50% 61.50% 90.00% 60.00% 80.00% 50.00% 61.50% 50.00% 70.00% 54.50% 37.50% 60.00% 40.00% 50.00% 36.40% 30.00% 40.00% 30.80% 20.00% 10.00% 15.50% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 10.00% 9.10% 20.00% 7.70% 7.70% 7.70% 7.70% 7.70% 10.00% 10.00% 0 0 0 0 0.00% 0.00% Early morning Mid day Evening Night Any time during the day Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Net bags Plastic crates Cardboard boxes Guava Bitter gourd Long bean 14

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Wholesaler - Anuradhapura Packaging material 91.70% 100.00% 90.00% 75.00% 80.00% 62.50% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 37.50% 40.00% 30.00% 16.70% 8.30% 8.30% 20.00% 10.00% 0 0 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Net bags Plastic crates Cardboard boxes 15

Result and discussion cont Result and discussion cont. . Retailer - Anuradhapura Packaging material 60.00% 60.00% 60.00% 50.00% 50.00% 40.00% 33.30% 20.00% 30.00% 20.00% 20.00% 20.00% 16.70% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Net bags Plastic crates Cardboard boxes 16

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Consumer - Anuradhapura Commodities displayed on How commodities displayed 86.70% 70.00% 82.40% 63.60% 90.00% 60.00% 77.30% 58.80% 60.00% 80.00% 70.00% 50.00% 60.00% 40.00% 50.00% 40.00% 22.70% 30.00% 23.50% 17.60% 30.00% 20.00% 13.30% 18.20% 20.00% 20.00% 10.00% 10.00% 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean 0.00% Guava Troughs / racks Bitter gourd Long bean In bulk Packeted in small quantities In crates/boxes Heaped on floor 17

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Farmer - Kurunegala Harvesting method Harvesting time 100% 100% 100% 100.00% 100% 90.00% 90% 80.00% 66.70% 80% 70.00% 60.00% 70% 60% 60.00% 60% 40.00% 50.00% 33.30% 50% 40% 40.00% 40% 30.00% 30% 20.00% 20% 10.00% 0 0 0 0 10% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0.00% 0% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Hand picking Severing with a knife Cut with a scissor Early morning Mid-day Any time during the day 18

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Packaging material 83.30% 90.00% 80.00% 80.00% 66.70% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 33.30% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 16.70% 20.00% 10.00% 0 0 0 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Plastic crates Net bag Cardboard boxes 19

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Collector - Kurunegala Packaging material Transportation vehicle 66.70% 66.70% 70.00% 83.30% 90.00% 80.00% 60.00% 71.40% 71.40% 50.00% 50.00% 70.00% 50.00% 60.00% 33.30% 33.30% 40.00% 50.00% 30.00% 40.00% 28.60% 28.60% 30.00% 20.00% 16.70% 20.00% 10.00% 10.00% 0.00% 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Net bags Plastic crates Closed truck/ lorry Open truck 20

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Transporter - Kurunegala Packaging material Transportation time 66.70% 66.70% 70.00% 83.30% 83.30% 90.00% 60.00% 80.00% 50.00% 50.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 60.00% 33.30% 33.30% 40.00% 50.00% 40.00% 40.00% 30.00% 16.70% 30.00% 16.70% 20.00% 20.00% 10.00% 10.00% 0.00% 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Early morning Any time during the day Net bags Plastic crates 21

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Wholesaler - Kurunegala Packaging material 66.70% 66.70% 70.00% 62.50% 60.00% 50.00% 37.50% 33.30% 33.30% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Net bags Plastic crates 22

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Retailer - Kurunegala Packaging material 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 90.00% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 50.00% 40.00% 25.00% 25.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0 0 0 0 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Net bags Plastic crates Cardboard boxes 23

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Consumer - Kurunegala Market presentation Display method 100.00% 70.00% 100.00% 70.00% 57.10% 90.00% 60.00% 71.40% 50.00% 50.00% 80.00% 66.70% 50.00% 70.00% 60.00% 40.00% 28.60% 50.00% 33.30% 28.60% 30.00% 40.00% 20.00% 30.00% 14.30% 20.00% 10.00% 20.00% 10.00% 10.00% 0 0 0.00% 0.00% Guava Bitter gourd Long bean Guava Bitter gourd Long bean In bulk Packeted in small quantities Troughs / racks In crates/boxes Heaped on floor 24

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Comparison of packaging materials among different stakeholders- Anuradhapura district 30 25 20 P(.000) < 0.05 Count 15 10 5 0 Farmer Collector Transporter Stakeholders Net bags Wholesaler Retailer Cardboard boxes Plastic crates 25

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Comparison of packaging materials among different stakeholders- Kurunegala districts 18 16 P(.201) > 0.05 14 12 10 Count 8 6 4 2 0 Farmer Collector Transporter Stakeholder Wholesaler Retailer Cardboard boxes Net bags Plastic crates 26

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Comparison of safe packaging at farmer level in both districts Comparison of safe packaging at collector level in both districts 18 18 16 16 14 14 12 12 Count 10 Count 10 8 8 6 6 4 4 2 2 0 0 collector Anurdhapura Collectors Kurunegala Farmer Anuradhapura Farmer Kurunegala Stakeholder Net bags Stakeholder Net bags Cardboard boxes Plastic crates Cardboard boxes Plastic crates P(.200) > 0.05 P(.000) < 0.05 27

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Comparison of safe packaging at wholesaler level at both districts Comparison of safe packaging at transporter level at both districts 25 30 25 20 20 15 Count Count 15 10 10 5 5 0 0 Transporter Anuradhapura Transporter Kurunegala Stakeholder Wholesaler Anuradhapura Wholesaler Kurunegala Stakeholder Cardboard boxes Net bags Plastic crates Cardboard boxes Net bags Plastic crates P(.000) < 0.05 P(.100) > 0.05 28

Result and discussion cont. Result and discussion cont. Comparison of safe packaging in farmer level at both districts 30 25 20 Count 15 P(.539) > 0.05 10 5 0 Retailer Anuradhapura Retailer Kurunegala Stakeholder Packaging materials Net bags Plastic crates 29

Conclusion Conclusion Farmers in both districts have considerable knowledge about harvesting practices Not many farmers, collectors, transporters, wholesalers and retailers have knowledge about packaging and transportation of commodities. Bulk transportation leads to mechanical damages due to compression, impact, and vibration at the transporter level. Majority of stakeholders do not use safe packaging methods. 30

Recommendations Recommendations Need to conduct training and awareness programs on post-harvest handling, transporting and safe packaging Promote and facilitate the use of plastic crates Bring legislation to make the use of plastic crates mandatory. 31

References References Esham, M. and Usami, K. (2006) Procurement behavior of the fruit and vegetable industry in Sri Lanka , Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2(3), p. 36. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v2i3.8135. R. T. Gunarathna and Y. Mahinda Bandara, "Post Harvest Losses and the Role of Intermediaries in the Vegetable Supply Chain," 2020 Moratuwa Engineering Research Conference (MERCon), 2020, pp. 378-383, doi: 10.1109/MERCon50084.2020.9185197. Herath, M.M., Dissanayake, C.A.K., Wasala, W.M.C.B., Somakanthan, N. and Gunawardhane, C.R., 2021. The effect of improved postharvest practices on the postharvest losses and quality of mango fruit in Sri Lanka's supply chain. Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research, 4(4), pp.509-520. 32

References cont. References cont. Kader, A.A. (2005) Increasing Food Availability and Reducing Postharvest Losses of Fresh Produce. Proceedings of the 5th International Postharvest Symposium, Verona, 6-11 June 2004, 2169-2175 Rajapaksha, L., Gunathilake, D.C., Pathirana, S.M. and Fernando, T., 2021. Reducing post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables for ensuring food security Case of Sri Lanka. MOJ Food Process Technols, 9(1), pp.7-16. Vidanapathirana, R., Hathurusinghe, C.P., Rambukwella, R.O.S.H.I.N.I. and Somarathne, T.G., 2012. A Study on value chain of Pineapple and Banana in Sri Lanka. Wasala, W.M.C.B., Dissanayake, C.A.K., Dharmasena, D.A.N., Gunawardane, C.R. and Dissanayake, T.M.R., 2014. Postharvest losses, current issues and demand for postharvest technologies for loss management in the main banana supply chains in Sri Lanka. Journal of Postharvest Technology, 2(1), pp.80-87. 33

Thank You Thank You 34