Postharvest Losses along the Supply Chain of Potato in Bangladesh: A Micro-Level Study

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the supply chain of potatoes and determine the factors affecting postharvest losses of potatoes at the producer level of Bangladesh. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview schedule from a sample of total 60- 30 farmers, 6 wholesalers, 5 aratdars, 5 retailers, and 14 consumers in Sirajdikhan and Sadar Upazila of Munshiganj district. Descriptive statistics (percentages, frequencies, etc.) and multiple linear regression analysis were used for this study. The result shows that channel 4 is the longest marketing chain in the study area which includes the marketing actors – farmers, aratdars, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. In the supply chain of potatoes, the amount of postharvest loss is 6.6% for the producer’s level, 5.3% for the wholesale level, 1.10% for the aratdar level, and 2.1% for the retailer level in the study area. The regression model reveals that age and amount of production have a significant positive relationship, while experience has a significant negative relationship with the postharvest losses of potatoes. The study also shows that lack of storage facility (48.94%) and poor packaging system (32.73%) are the major reasons for occurring postharvest losses of potatoes. The farmers and intermediaries suggested that it is necessary to identify the maturity stage of potatoes at harvesting time (70%), improve the cold storage facility (56.67%), and improve the loading and unloading system (56.25%), etc. for reducing postharvest losses of potato.