AN ECONOMETRIC ESTIMATION OF POST-HARVEST LOSSES OF CUT-FLOWERS IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

The study was conducted to quantify the post-harvest losses (PHL) of cut-flowers atvarious levels market intermediaries’ i.e. farm, commission agent, wholesale and retaillevels. Primary data were collected from district Kasur, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad. Therespondents selected by employing stratified random sampling technique. SPSS used forthe descriptive statistics multiple regression model analysis for econometric estimation. Theeconometric estimation revealed that variable education, experience, floriculture area, pickingmethod; picking time extension services had a significant impact on farm level, whereaseducation infrastructure showed effect at agent level. Thedeterminants PHL level loading method, cold storage,transportation while unsold quantity, retailer type, kind shop storage place asignificant Proper training scientific knowledge should begiven traders regarding storage, grading, handling, displaying processing flowers. studysuggests adopting approach minimize these losses.