ASSESSMENT OF THE POST-HARVEST LOSSES OF POTATO IN BANEPA MUNICIPALITY OF KAVREPALANCHOK DISTRICT

The study was conducted to assess the status of post-harvest loss of potato from the farmer’s field to the ultimate consumer in the Banepa-municipality of Kavrepalanchok district. A total of 100 respondents were randomly selected out of which 35 were farmers and processors each and 30 were traders. The required information was obtained with the help of pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires, and additionally, secondary data were obtained from the PMAMP annual report, AKC annual report, ADD, and MoALD. In the present study, post-harvest loss can be experienced at different levels of farmers, traders, and processors and different conditions such as farms, while harvesting to transporting, and also at different storage conditions in Banepa municipality. According to the respondents’ different factors were responsible for post-harvest losses in farmers. The post-harvest loss of potato mainly occurred due to rotting (10.74%) followed by weight loss (8.89%), insect damage (4.44%), mechanical injury (2.55%), and leftover (2.42%). The total post -harvest loss in the farmers’ field is 29.04%. Similarly, in the trader’s level post-harvest loss of potato mainly occurred due to the small size of potatoes 17.45% followed by weight loss 9.15%, rotting 8.92%, insect damage 7.66%and finally Greening 7.11%. The total post -harvest loss in traders is 50.29%. In the case of processor post-harvest loss of potato mainly occurred due to excess wastage 20.46% followed by rotting 12.3%, weight loss 8.74%, processing wastage 8.60 % and finally insect damage 7.34%. The total post-harvest loss in processors is 57.44%. Thus, the insights gained from this study aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving the overall efficiency of the potato supply chain in Banepa municipality.