| Summary: | Apples are an important fruit and ranked third after grapes and almond in Afghanistan.
Afghan apples are among the crunchiest, sweetest, and largest in the region. Losses in
agriculture sector in Paktia province are largely due to the extremely perishable quality
of the produce and poor management of post-harvest activities. This calls for a wellorganized
post-harvest management on the part of farmers supported by strong
infrastructure facilities for proper production activities. Therefore, the aim of this study
was to survey the post-harvest losses of apples in Paktia, Afghanistan. The specific
objectives of the study were to identify the post-harvest activities, losses and constraints
among apple growers, to explore the association between socio-demographic and postharvest
losses, to identify the factors affecting post-harvest losses among apple growers
and to determine the most influential factors that affect the post-harvest losses of apples.
A quantitative research design was chosen for this study. The three districts, namely
Gardiz, Saidkaram and Ahmad Aba, were selected purposively as they represent the top
three apple producing districts of Paktia province. A registered list of apples growers and
villages were obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of
Paktia province where 26 villages were chosen out of 52 villages. From 52 villages, a
total of 923 apples growers were identified and 279 apples growers were then selected
from 26 villages based on systematic random sampling technique. Primary data were
collected using designed questionnaires via face-to-face structured interviews. Data
collected were then analyzed using descriptive analysis, chi-square analysis, factor
analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.
The finding of descriptive analysis showed that among all the post-harvest activities
based on the percentage ranking, all apples growers (100%) were involved in the
marketing of apples that were in search of direct or indirect channels to sell their products
in order to reduce the losses. Meanwhile, total postharvest losses of apples during all post-harvest activities were estimated around 34.92%. Storage was the major losses
factor for apple growers that they lose 8.91% produce. Accordingly, the major constraint
of production was spurious pesticide and fungicide (96.7%), while the major marketing
constraints was lack of standard storage or cold storage (98.5%) and finally, unstable
political relations with neighboring countries (100%) was the main constraint of policy.
The findings on the chi-square analysis showed that education level (P=0.046), farm size
(P=0.000), farm experience (P=0.019), yield (P=0.000) have significant association with
post-harvest losses. Moreover, the factor analysis results revealed seven factors that
influenced post-harvest losses of apples, namely harvesting, sorting, grading,
packaging, storage, transportation and marketing. Therefore, establishing proper
storages and packaging facilities will reduce their losses that will ease their effort in
finding a better market for their products during the different season of the year. Also,
sorting and grading will raise the value of apple products for a better marketing. Both
road transport and transportation system should be improved upon so as to reduce the
losses of apple production.
Based on the multiple regression analysis, farm experience, yield, harvesting, grading,
packaging, storage and transportation had a negative and significant relationship with
post-harvest losses of apples. Among these factors, grading and storage were an extremely
important and has the greatest influence on post-harvest losses. The adequate storage
capacity, cold storage availability and facilities of warehousing are essential requirements
to reduce wastage and maintain the quality of the apple products. Findings of this study
can assist the government and NGO in developing the right policy and agricultural
development of apple production in Afghanistan that will benefit the stakeholders in the
apples industry.
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