What is it about?
Citrus is a non-climacteric fruit that breaks easily. Poor postharvest handling methods have resulted in severe losses to farmers. This research was conducted in 2017 at Dau Subdistrict, Malang Regency, East Java, using a purposive sampling method to understanding the losses of citrus fruits and perceptions of farmers in marketing decisions. A total of 177 citrus farmers participated in this study. Citrus farmers experienced food loss and waste is 34% in total all activity. From the value chain activities carried out by most citrus farmers: production and harvesting, handling and storage, processing, and packaging, as well as distribution and markets, farmers experience food loss and waste of 13%, 10%, 4%, and 7% respectively. Postharvest losses were influenced by farmers' perceptions of selling citrus fruits, especially prices, cash payments and the frequency of delivery of citrus fruits. By knowing the critical point most detrimental, farmers can take action to minimize losses
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Why is it important?
This research is crucial as it addresses the significant post-harvest losses of citrus fruits, which amount to 34% of total production due to inadequate handling, storage, and marketing practices. By identifying critical loss points—such as production and harvesting (13%), handling and storage (10%), processing and packaging (4%), and distribution and marketing (7%)—farmers can adopt better post-harvest management techniques to minimize waste. Understanding farmers' perceptions in marketing decisions, including price, cash payments, and delivery frequency, further aids in improving market efficiency and reducing losses. The study's findings highlight the need for technological adoption and improved post-harvest strategies to enhance citrus value chain sustainability and profitability
Perspectives
From my personal perspective, this publication highlights a critical issue in the citrus supply chain that resonates deeply with broader agricultural sustainability challenges. The 34% post-harvest loss among citrus farmers is not just an economic setback but also a significant concern in food security and resource efficiency. It underscores the need for more robust post-harvest handling practices, technological interventions, and better farmer awareness to minimize waste. The research effectively maps out the key loss points and marketing behaviors that influence these losses, providing a strong foundation for policy recommendations and practical solutions. However, I see an opportunity for future research to delve deeper into the integration of modern preservation technologies, improved logistics, and farmer capacity-building programs to enhance post-harvest management. Additionally, comparative studies across different regions could offer insights into scalable solutions that can be tailored to varying citrus farming environments. This study is a wake-up call for stakeholders to address inefficiencies in the citrus value chain and develop a more sustainable agricultural model.
Zainuri Hanif
National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN)
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Post-harvest losses of citrus fruits and perceptions of farmers in marketing decisions, E3S Web of Conferences, January 2021, EDP Sciences,
DOI: 10.1051/e3sconf/202130602059.
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