Postharvest losses of tomatoes in transit
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Date
2006-03
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AMA, Agricultural Mechanization in Asia, Africa and Latin America
Abstract
Tomatoes are highly perishable and very susceptible to mechanical damage with poor handling and transportation. This study was conducted with the primary objective of establishing the current practices of handling and transportation of tomatoes from a main producing area, Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region of Ghana, to a main marketing center, Accra, 815 kilometers away. The primary method was to interview the producers, tomato merchants and sellers in the market with the help of a prepared questionnaire. Observations were made on the journey from Bolgatanga to Accra. An assessment of losses along the route was found to be 20%.