Comparative study of mode of marketing and transportation losses in mango.
Reddy R. N. S., Reddy N. S., Krishnappa K. S., Anjanappa M.
Author Affiliation: Division of Horticulture, UAS, GKVK, Bangalore - 560 065, India.
Current Research - University of Agricultural Sciences (Bangalore) 31 : 144-146
Abstract : Losses during the harvesting and road transport of the fruits of mango cultivars Totapuri and Alphonso were studied in Karnataka, India. The percentage of losses in terms of fruits and monetary value was evaluated immediately after harvesting in the farm, and during the transport of fruits to markets in Srinivasapur and Bangalore by farmers and preharvest contractors. With the preharvest contractors, harvesting losses reached 3.39% (approximately 15?435 rupees) for Totapuri and 2.0% (approximately 4725 rupees) for Alphonso. With the farmers, harvesting losses reached 3.62% (22?095 rupees) for Totapuri and 2.0% (7154 rupees) for Alphonso. Of the 202?500 kg of Totapuri fruits transported to Srinivasapur market, approximately 3.91% were wasted. Of the 46?800 Alphonso fruits transported to Srinivasapur, approximately 2.93% were wasted. Of the 136?000 and 47?000 Totapuri and Alphonso fruits transported to Bangalore, 5.0 and 4.57% were wasted, respectively. The greater losses during the transport of fruits to Bangalore were due to the longer distance between the market site and the farm (100 km or more vs. 15 km for Srinivasapur). In general, the fruits were harvested by farmers mostly by hand using a long bamboo stick with a knife and cloth bag tied at the tip. The minimum mechanical aid under such method increased the percentage of fruit losses, unlike with preharvest contractors who were more cautious and strict in terms of the harvesting procedure.