Identification of Postharvest Loss Determinants of Small Scale Onion Farm Holders in Lode Hetosa District of Arsi Zone, Ethiopia as Basis for Appropriate Interventions

Abstract

Onion has significant economic importance in Ethiopia. Although
quantitative evidence is limited, postharvest loss in onion is considerably
high. This study was aimed at identifying determinants of postharvest losses
of onion at the farmer level and conducted from January to August 2014 in
Lode Hetosa district of Arsi zone located in Oromia regional state, Ethiopia.
Primary data were collected from smallholder onion farmers via household
survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews as well as field
based observations. A total of 50 farmers were surveyed to collect primary
data and postharvest losses were assessed at farm level. Data were analysed
by descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression model. The total
postharvest loss of onion at farmer level was found to be 25.4%, mainly
because of poor cultural practices and disease attack during production and
harvesting as well as poor handling practices, storage and transport. The
higher proportion of losses (10%) was observed at transport to market level
The model regression results showed that gender of household head, level of
education, time of harvest, use of ventilated storage facility, storage cooling