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Survey to Collect Information on Pre- and Postharvest Handling Status and Assess Postharvest Losses of Cucumber

Sarwar-E-Jahan
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Sylhet

Md. Kamrul Hassan
Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Shomoresh Roy
On-Farm Research Division (OFRD), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Tangail

Quazi Maruf Ahmed
Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Gazipur

Gazi Nazmul Hasan
On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bhola

Afshara Yeasmin Muna
Dept. of Horticulture, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet

Md. Mainul Islam
On-Farm Research Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A survey was conducted to collect the pre-and postharvest practices information and assess postharvest loss of cucumber starting from producer to consumer. Raipura and Shibpur Upazilas of Norshingdi District are major cucumber growing area. The farmers of the selected upazilas use pesticides in combination with plant growth regulators at 2-day intervals. The major pest of cucumber was wasp. Result showed that 16-20% of the growers used pheromone trap to reduce insect Invasion. The postharvest loss for cucumber from the harvest to retail sales was 19.99%. Retail price of cucumber increased about fifty percent from the farm gate price. Postharvest losses resulted mainly due to lack of careful handling, adequate transport system, and storage facilities. Major problems of the growers were pest infestation, lack of adequate transport system, and unavailability of quality seed and fertilizer. Lack of proper transport systems and storage facilities were the concerned problems at the ‘Bepari’, wholesaler, and retailers’ level.

Keywords: Preharvest, Postharvest, Handling, Cucumber, Survey, Loss

Location: Raipura and Shippur Upazilas of Norshingdi District

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Cucumber

Objectives:

The present study was taken under consideration to collect the data on present pre-harvest and postharvest practices and assess postharvest losses of cucumber.

Methodology:

To collect data on the existing pre and postharvest practices and to assess postharvest losses of cucumber a survey was conducted at Raipura and Shippur Upazilas of Norshingdi District. Structured interview schedules were prepared to interview the stakeholders that include growers and intermediaries (‘Bepari’, wholesaler, and retailers). In Phase I, growers of Shibpur and Raipura Upazilas of Norshingdi District of Bangladesh were interviewed. Names of growers (population) from the above two Upazilas were collected. From the above population, 25 growers for each Upazila randomly selected as the samples. Besides, 5 percent of the population was randomly selected as reserve candidates who were used only when a farmer in the original sample list was not available during data collection. In Phase II, data were collected from cucumber traders. To do this, 25 cucumber trading intermediaries (‘Bepari’) were randomly selected from the vegetable traders of Jossore Bazaar of Shibpur Upazila and Shibjunlipur Bazaar of Raipura Upazila. In Phase III, 25 intermediaries (wholesalers) for cucumber were randomly selected for data collection on marketing and postharvest losses. The traders were selected from the Jessore Bazaar of Shibpur Upazila, Shibjunlipur Bazaar of Raipura Upazila, Karwan Bazaar of Dhaka City, and Machoua Bazaar of Mymensingh Sadar. In Phase IV, 25 intermediaries (retailers) for each experimental crop were randomly selected for collecting data on marketing system and postharvest losses of cucumber. The retailers were interviewed from Jossore Bazaar of Shibpur Upazila, Shibjunlipur Bazaar of Raipura Upazila, Karwan Bazaar of Dhaka City, Machoua Bazaar of Mymensingh Sadar, KR Market of BAU, Mymensingh and Shesh Moore of BAU, Mymensingh. To collect information on existing pre- and postharvest practices for cucumber, 4 sets of interview schedules were prepared for cucumber keeping the objectives of the research in mind. The interview schedules were prepared for the stakeholders in vegetable trade including growers, Bepari, wholesalers, and retailers. The schedules were translated to Bengali for ease of understanding of the respondents. The interview schedules were pre-tested in actual field conditions/situations, and necessary modifications were made before finally printing the schedules. The responses to the questions in the interview schedules were transformed into an EXCEL master sheet to facilitate tabulation. Tabulation and computation were done based on categories developed. The collected data were converted into percent based on the sample number. For describing the collected information, categories were developed in respect of each of the selected respondents for the sake of having a better understanding of the characteristics of the growers and traders. Different categories according to their respective characteristics were developed. Procedures for developing the categories have been discussed while describing the characteristics of respondents in the results and discussion part. The data collected from the respondents were compiled, tabulated, and analyzed following the objectives of the study. Descriptive statistics such as number and percentage distribution, range, mean, standard deviation, and rank order were used in describing the performance and selected characteristics of the respondents. The survey was conducted using structured and pre-tested interview schedules at four stages of cucumber marketing in Norshingdi District. The respondents were growers, ‘Bepari’, wholesalers, and retailers.

Source of Information: Int. J. Bus. Manag. Soc. Res. | Volume 08, Issue 01, 443-458 | March 2020

Article Link (Online Journal): https://doi.org/10.18801/ijbmsr.080120.47

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In conclusion, growers use range of chemicals (insecticides, fungicides, and growth regulators) in growing cucumber. Huge postharvest losses occur from harvest to retail sales. Transport and storage were found to be major obstacles in fresh vegetable marketing. Future research works would be conducted about the safety of vegetable consumption. The residual levels of synthetic chemicals in vegetables would be extensively investigated.

Knowledge Management: Journal