Do Post-harvest Losses Affect the Farmers’ Income? - Post-Harvest Loss Estimation for Major Vegetables in South India

Over the last two decades, India’s food system with population surge has been undergoing a transformation increase in demand for high value fruits and vegetables. However, farmers are not benefitted from these transitions as post-harvest losses fairly due to poorly developed management practices. The present study aims estimate nature extent of also analysed determinants major vegetables (gourds) South India. Palakkad district Kerala was chosen it contributes most, state’s vegetable area production. Multi-stage random sampling techniques were adopted selected based on their annual production area. total loss observed bitter gourd at farm level about 12.46 percent (34.53 qtl/ha). At trader level, physiological contributed almost 45 losses. Hence, be 21.88 per cent. Likewise snake gourd, found 9 (26.1 qtl/ha), where highest (4.74 percent) biotic factors like pests diseases prevailing Therefore, estimated 13.89 which included 4.89 level. Regression analyses delineated that under cultivation, unfavourable weather conditions, use packing materials jute sacks wooden baskets Whereas, experience farming affect volume adoption proper handling practices by would help minimizing remarkable extent. Besides, analysis farmers’ perception, brought out fact aware incurred only limited