CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Globally, post-harvest losses have been reported to be a major problem, affecting farmers income as well as threatening global food security (Lipinski et al.2013). According to FAO, (2018), around one-third of the food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted resulting in an economic cost equivalent to trillions of FCFA, which is lost to post-harvest. This implies that to ensure global food security something highlighted in the sustainable development agenda will require an understanding of post-harvest loss drivers so as to better enhance postharvest loss reduction utilized by farmers.

As noted by Kitinojaet al. (2011), poor handling and poor packaging result in qualitative and quantitative postharvest losses. This has been reported to be very evident in the developing world. Research indicates that in the developing world, crops are poorly handled and packaged for transportation. Kitinojaet al. (2011) indicate that in developing countries there are many problems related to roads, and more especially to whether roads connect farms and markets. A lack of farm-to-market roads significantly increases postharvest losses (Kitinojaet al., 2011; FAO, 2013). Similarly, FAO (2013) highlights that poor handling and packaging in less developed countries, coupled with transportation on very bad roads using inappropriate means, increases postharvest losses. Furthermore, World Bank (2010) observes that the kind of material used for packaging increases the risk of both qualitative and quantitative losses during the postharvest management chain.

In sub-saharan Africa, agriculture constitutes the main engine of economic growth in many developing countries. For instance, it contributes 35% to Africa’s Gross National Product, and 30 to 40% to the GNP of sub-Saharan countries (Balgah&Fonteh, 2019; FAO, 2020). In addition, 50% of Africans and over 54% of the population of SSA depends on agriculture for livelihoods (FAO, 2020). Further, it is estimated that crop production accounts for about 70 percent of typical incomes in this region, of which 37 percent is from grain crops (World Bank, 2011).

The over reliance on agriculture suggest a need for investing in Post-harvest Losses (PHL) reduction, which begins with research, something this study seeks to attain. Such research will inform policy and facilitate optimal choices of mitigation approaches, a precise knowledge of the magnitudes of the losses, the drivers of the losses at each stage, and the net benefits of adopting mitigation practices is important (Affognon et al., 2015).

In Cameroon, agriculture is considered the backbone of the of the country’s economy (Bomdzele&Moloa, 2023). It is a vital activity, as it helps meet the nutritional and financial needs of the world’s population in general and Cameroonian’s in particular. Agriculture employs about 70% of the country’s working population, bringing in 15% of the government’s overall income, and accounting for about 33.3% of the country’s earnings (Akumbomet al., 2023). Agricultural growth is shown to contribute indirectly to the reduction of poverty through labor markets, and providing employment to the least underprivileged farmers. This sector contributes about a quarter of economic-added value. Vision 2035 has as objective the need to transform Cameroon’s vision to transform the economy into an emerging on by 2035, since agriculture is the backbone of Cameroon’s economy, there is for sure a need to design ways for its sustainability (Ngoong&Forgha, 2013)

Cameroon’s agricultural sector is vital for economic development in and contributes substantially to food security, export earnings, and rural development,  (Kouam, et al.,2022), it is imperative to thoroughly manage farm produce till they are consumed. Post-harvest losses play a significant economic role in the economy as it may account for huge losses in the final output of crops and livestock (Linda, 2021). Post Harvest losses is a major challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa with FAO estimating as much as 37% of food produced is lost between production and consumption (Tata, 2020).

Various factors contribute to Post harvest losses of huckleberry in Cameroon; some of which include huckleberry pests. Pests such as aphids, bettles, birds, as well as other larger animals such as rabbits and cows and goats are major causes of post harvest losses in huckleberry production and marketing. These pests may damage the stored leaves harvested for consumption and marketing leading to shortages in the food supply. Wireworms which are the larvae of various beetle species that feed on huckleberry roots and stems (WSU, 2024). Cutworms, which are the larvae of various moth species that feed on leaves and stems also cause damage to crops. Leaf beetles also feed on wheat leaves. These pests are often difficult to control and result in crop damages and decreasing yields (de la Fuente, et al, 2003). The prevalence of these pests in post-harvest huckleberry practices lead to an increase in post harvest losses.

Major diseases also cause post-harvest losses of huckleberry in Cameroon. Some of these huckleberry diseases includethe huckleberry witches broom rust, the blueberry leaf rust, the Phytophthora blight which affects huckleberry on the fields and when harvested and stored. These diseases infect various huckleberry species, causing yellow spots on the huckleberry leaves, damaging the foliage leading to severe crop losses (Lovejoy, 2017). These major fungal diseases affecting huckleberry can lead to significant post harvest losses especially if not properly managed.  

Post-harvest losses of huckleberry can also occur as a result of improper storage and transportation facilities. Huckleberry, a highly perishable vegetable, requires extensive management post harvest to prevent them from getting bad, hence proper storage is imperative to preserve the produce. Storage of huckleberry in refrigerators and airtight containers can significantly reduce the rate of spoilage (Vasquez &Buttolph, 2010). Proper transportation of huckleberry is also very important in preventing spoilage post-harvest. However, Cameroon’s agricultural sector is characterized by a lack of storage and transportation facilities (FAO, 2015), thus making it difficult to properly handle huckleberry post-harvest. This results in a lot of the crop getting spoilt post harvest in Cameroon, leading to severe economic losses on the producer and also food shortages on the consumer.

Other causes of post harvest losses include the impact of climate change, which is making huckleberry production and storage an even herder process particularly for small scale producer with insufficient ability to adopt strategies that can help them cope with climate change. According to FAO, for every 1 dollar spent to improve yields, 0.19dollar are lost due to inadequate post harvest practices. This is made even harder for the small scale farmer without adequate tools to properly manage their crops post harvest, with changing climatic conditions that rapidly ensures huckleberry spoilage if not properly managed (APHLIS, 2019). Other causes include political tensions and pandemics, which may limit market access thus leading to post-harvest losses.

Generally, the prevalence of post harvest losses in Cameroon, results in serious consequences for a number of stakeholders involved in farm production. Mthawanji (2023) assertsthat smallholder farmers are the biggest losers of post harvest loses due to the fact that they entirely rely on the income from selling their crops for sustenance. Post harvest losses deny these farmers the opportunity to generate a living income, thus hindering their economic stability and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.Also, due to limited access to proper storage facilities, small scale farmers are particularly vulnerable to post harvest losses which can deter them from continued involvement in production.

This study focuses on analyzing post-harvest losses in vegetable production in Tubah Cameroon. Agricultural practice in Tubah sub division is highly subsistence with the use of rudimentary tools. This implies that vegetable production and marketing activities may subject the crop to post harvest losses. This study focuses on analyzing post-harvest losses in vegetable production in Tubah Cameroon. Agricultural practice in Tubah sub division is highly subsistence with the use of rudimentary tools. This implies that vegetable production and marketing activities may subject the crop to post harvest losses. Therefore this study attempts at examining the post-harvest loss drivers as well as reduction techniques utilized by huckleberry actors in Tubah Sub division.

1.2 statement of the Problem

 A great challenge affecting vegetable production (huckleberry inclusive) in Africa as may be the case in other parts of the world is the high postharvest losses recorded in its value chain. According to Parfitt et al. (2010), inadequate harvesting stage, poor harvesting technique, transportation, lack of a cold chain system, inadequate storage facilities, limited processing knowledge, and a lack of appropriate packaging and trading facilities are the main drivers of high PHLs in developing countries Cameroon inclusive.

With the continuous population growth, the demand for vegetables notably huckleberry is on the rise in Cameroon especially in the major cities of Bamenda Douala and Yaounde. Huckleberry from Tubah sub division is reported to have a high demand across the major cities due to its unique taste and colour. Unfortunately, the production capacity of huckleberry farmers in Tubahappears to be low compared to market demands. Again, even with the low production capacity, huckleberry is very perishable and its handling is very challenging. This often result in high post-harvest losses as such reducing the quantities needed for consumption, reducing actors incomes as well as depriving citizens from consuming the needed quantities for their nutritional wellbeing as the prices are high.

Given the high postharvest losses in vegetable production, relevant actors resorted to developing policy documents for both on-farm and off-farm postharvest reduction interventions to be implemented (Sallah 2015). However, these efforts appear to have been so general and not crop specific, far from the reach of actors and hence postharvest losses continue to be evident in huckleberry value chain.  Therefore, this study seeks to fill a research gap in Cameroon in the area of postharvest losses by focusing on a crop specific postharvest loss analysis. The study argues that understanding the situation in a highly perishable vegetable like huckleberry can provide insights for the advancement of the agricultural development in Cameroon.

1.3 Research questions:

The main Research questions is: what are the post-harvest loss drivers and reduction techniques in huckleberry production and marketing in Tubahsub Division?

The specific research questions include:

1. What are post-harvest loss drivers of postharvest loss in huckleberry production and marketing in Tubah sub Division?
2. What are the post-harvest loss reduction techniques utilized by huckleberry farmers and marketers in Tubah Sub Division?
3. In what ways can the reduction techniques been utilised minimize postharvest losses in huckleberry value chain in Tubah Sub Division.?

1.4 Research objectives

The main research objective is: to analyse the post-harvest loss drivers and reduction techniques in huckleberry production and marketing in Tubah sub Division

The specific research questions include:

1. To examine the post-harvest loss drivers of in. huckleberry production and marketing in Tubah sub Division.
2. To assess the post-harvest loss reduction techniques utilized by huckleberry farmers and marketers in Tubah Sub Division.
3. To suggest ways of enhancing the loss reduction techniques in order to minimize postharvest losses in huckleberry value chain in Tubah Sub Division.