Factors influencing post harvest processing of fruits to add value and increase shelf life in Arumeru district

Komba, Alexander A. (2010) Factors influencing post harvest processing of fruits to add value and increase shelf life in Arumeru district. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The major economic activity of Arumeru district community is agriculture, production of fruits is one of the agricultural activities. They grow different types of fruits but a big percent of the fruits is consumed and sold fresh to the Arusha municipal market and the remaining percent perishes. The farmers are facing a number of challenges, including lack of technologies and equipment to process the fruits for a better market. Generally a big portion of these fruits get rotten during the harvesting season which leads to significantly huge post harvest losses. This research aims at assessing factors for enhanced post harvest processing of fruits to add value and increase shelf life in Arumeru district. The research used descriptive research design and quantitative research method in its whole process. Data were collected through survey and reviews of various secondary sources. The findings of this study concluded that • Indeed most of the farmers have not made any significant efforts on post harvesting processing of the fruits to add value and increase shelf life. • Most of the farmers have no knowledge on post harvest processing technologies for their fruits. • Government and other stakeholders have given no significant assistance to the farmers on post harvest processing From these findings, several recommendations have been made most of them emphasize on Government and stakeholders intervention to enforce appropriate policies and programmes to improve post harvesting processing climate.

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