Figures (4)  Tables (7)

    • Figure 1. 

      (a)−(c) Loss of bananas due to improper harvesting and handling. Source: Field survey 2024.

    • Figure 2. 

      (a)−(c) Loss of bananas due to improper packaging and lack of market information. Source: Field survey 2024.

    • Figure 3. 

      (a)−(e) Loss of macadamia due to lack of market access and high competition. Source: Field survey 2024.

    • Figure 4. 

      (a)−(c) Losses from other fruits. Source: Field survey 2024.

    • Socioeconomic variables Frequency Percentage (%)
      Gender Male 143 63.9
      Female 81 36.1
      Age 18–30 46 20.4
      31–40 45 20.0
      41–50 26 11.4
      51–60 36 15.9
      > 60 71 31.4
      Educational level No formal education 5 2.2
      Primary 19 8.5
      Secondary 109 48.7
      Tertiary 89 39.7
      Abet 2 0.9
      Source of household income Agricultural activities 189 84.4
      Salaried employment 28 12.5
      Business 32 14.3
      Social grant 77 34.4
      Pension 23 10.3
      Source: Computed from a field survey in 2024.

      Table 1. 

      Socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers (n = 224).

    • Land ownership & fruit crop grown Frequency Percentage (%)
      Land ownership Yes 214 95.5
      No 10 4.5
      Type of fruits grown Avocados 135 60.3
      Macadamia 94 42.0
      Litchis 65 29.0
      Banana 51 22.7
      Mango 47 21.0
      Oranges 30 13.4
      Lemon 11 4.9
      Guava 3 1.3
      Watermelon 3 1.3
      Pineapple and granadilla 2 0.9
      Multiple responses included the types of fruits grown. Source: Computed from a field survey in 2024.

      Table 2. 

      Land ownership and type of fruits grown (n = 224).

    • Preferred storage method Frequency Percentage (%)
      Store fruits after harvest Yes 84 62.5
      No 140 37.5
      Preferred storage Backroom 20 23.8
      Storeroom 18 21.4
      Garage 18 21.4
      Pack house 9 10.7
      Shed 8 9.5
      Storage facilities 6 7.1
      Gas room 2 2.4
      Cold room 2 2.4
      Crate 1 1.2
      Total 224 100.0
      Source: Computed from field survey 2024.

      Table 3. 

      Storage of fruits and the preferred storage locations (n = 224).

    • Frequency Percentage (%)
      Experienced PHL Yes 114 50.9
      No 110 49.1
      Type of losses Rooting 75 33.5
      Physical damage 21 9.4
      Dehydration 17 7.6
      Cracking 15 6.7
      Quality loss 15 6.7
      Deterioration 5 2.2
      Nutritional loss 5 2.2
      Lenticel 3 1.3
      Bug 2 0.9
      Source: Computed from field survey 2024.

      Table 4. 

      Experiences PHL and type of losses experienced (n = 224).

    • Practices Frequency Percentage (%)
      Cleaning and disinfecting method 40 17.9
      Sorting and grading method 37 16.5
      Transportation consideration 41 18.3
      Storage practices 24 10.7
      Packaging techniques 26 11.6
      Selling at appropriate price and conditions 44 19.6
      Postharvest fungicides 18 8.0
      Manual cleaning 35 15.6
      Chemical treatment 28 12.5
      Source: Computed from field survey 2024.

      Table 5. 

      Practices and technologies used to minimize postharvest losses (n = 224).

    • Technology and practices usage drivers Yes No Total
      Using practices and technologies 78 (34.82%) 146 (65.18%) 224
      Availability of infrastructure and equipment 19 (8.48%) 205 (91.52%) 224
      Access to information and training 37 (16.52%) 187 (83.48%) 224
      Financial resources 16 (7.14%) 208 (92.87) 224
      Government policies and support 21 (9.38%) 203 (90.62%) 224
      Market demand and consumer preferences 25(11.16%) 199 (88.84%) 224
      Pest and disease control 66 (29.46%) 158 (70.54%) 224
      Preservation of fruit quality 31 (13.84%) 193 (86.16%) 224
      Extension services and advice from agricultural experts 23 (10.27%) 201 (89.73) 224
      Cost and affordability 13 (5.80%) 211 (94.20%) 224
      Availability and access to technology 11 (4.91%) 213 (95.05%) 224
      Technical knowledge and expertise 11 (4.91%) 213 (95.09%) 224
      Maintenance and operating cost 13 (5.80%) 211 (94.20%) 224
      Source: Computed from field survey 2024.

      Table 6. 

      Factors influencing the usage of practices and technologies (n = 224).

    • PHL reducers/trimmers Yes No Total
      Access to storeroom/pack house 37 (16.5%) 187 (83.5%) 224
      Access to credit 24 (10.7%) 200 (89.3%) 224
      Access to training 77 (34.4%) 147 (65.6%) 224
      Access to road 42 (18.8%) 182 (81.3%) 224
      Export 8 (3.6%) 216 (81.3%) 224
      Cold storage 11 (4.9%) 213 (95.1%) 224
      Processing facilities 10 (4.5%) 214 (95.5%) 224
      Market access 27 (12.1%) 197 (87.9%) 224
      Water 8 (3.6%) 216 (96.4%) 224
      Chemicals 23 (10.3%) 201 (89.7%) 224
      Price regulation 8 (3.6%) 216 (96.4%) 224
      Electricity 3 (1.3%) 221 (98.1%) 224
      Technologies 1 (0.4%) 223 (99.6%) 224
      Funding 9 (4.0%) 215 (96.0%) 224
      Source: Computed from field survey 2024.

      Table 7. 

      Suggested ways to reduce PHL (n = 224).