EVALUATION OF POST HARVEST MARKET CHAIN OF

PERISHABLE HORICULTURE PRODUCE & POST HARVEST LOSSES

Name of Students Major Advisor

Ravi Kant Anand Dr.Sanjiv Kumar

(04-1185-09) (Assistant Professor)

INTERNATIONAL AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

ANAND AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

ANAND-388110

ABSTRACT

The study entitled “Evaluation Of Post Harvest Market Chain Of Perishable

Horticulture Produce & Post Harvest Losses” is a study of specified perishable
horticulture produce (Fruits and Vegetables) with respect to post harvest loss of
fruits and vegetables during the post harvest market chain from farmer to
consumer. And also to trace potential areas for the establishment of pack houses in
the state that would work in the favor of farmers by helping them, ‘value add’ their
produce and avail more price.” The study was carried out in Gujarat (Central,
North , Saurastra and Kutchh) during the period of 45 days (1 st June’10 – 15th
July’10) . For study both primary as well as secondary data were used to achieve
the stipulated objectives.

India with more than 28.2 million tonnes of fruits and 66 million tonnes of
vegetables is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world next
only to China. Losses of fresh fruits and vegetables in developed countries are
estimated to range from 2 % to 23 % , with an overall average of 12 % losses
between production and consumption sites. In contrast, the range of produce losses
in developing countries varies widely. Losses at the retail, food-service, and
consumer levels are estimated at approximately 10 % in developed countries and
about 20 % in developing countries.

Gujarat is blessed with diversified climate, which is favorable for cultivation of

different fruits and vegetables. Major perishable horticulture produces are Mango,
Banana, Sapota, Guava, Pomegranate, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lemon, Tomato, &
Okra. The area & production of horticulture crop was 5.89 lakh Ha (5 %of total
cropped area) & 59.49 lakh tons in 1998-1999 which increased up to 12.68 lakh Ha
(13.80 % of total cropped area) & 152.76 lakh tons respectively in 2009-10. State
has strong cooperative credit & marketing structure, along with 252 cold storages
having 14.00 lakh Mt. storage capacity. About 42 fruit & vegetable co-operative
marketing societies and 197 Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) are
dealing with selling & buying of horticulture produce in the State.

The most existing market chain of fruits and vegetables in Gujarat is through
middlemen, commission agents, wholesalers, retailers and then the consumers. The
presence of so many stakeholders in the chain is one of the major reasons for much
of post harvest loss. Average post harvest losses of Mango, Sapota, Dates &
Pomegranate at farmer’s level, wholesaler’s level & retailer level are 2-3%, 6-8%
& 15-20% respectively. Total post harvest loss of different fruits such as Banana,
Papaya, Custard Apple, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tomato, Okra, Lemon at farmer’s
level, wholesaler’s level & retailer level are 3-9%, 2-7% & 3-8% respectively. Post
harvest loss of horticulture produce varies between 3-31 % of total production.

The Saurashtra region is having large mango plantation so the place is potential to
establish a pack house, especially at Junagadh district. Anand district is very
potential place to establish a pack house, as larger area under banana cultivation is
there and also vegetables are available from Anand & Kheda districts round the
year. The need of this pack house is for that it helps in the reduction of the post
harvest loss.

By studying the existing market chain of fruits and vegetables and pack house
potential, it can be said that challenges are numerous but future is very bright. It
might take a long time to change the mind set of the farmers following their
traditional ways of production and marketing but with time and efforts this can be
achieved.