Abstract:
This study was undertaken to assess of Post Harvest Techniques of Fruits in Southern
Province. Based on the highest number of acreage selected, two fruit crops were used to
study namely, banana and papaya.
The main objective of the study was to quantify the post harvest loss of fruits in each
level such as, farm gate, whole seller, and retailer and also find out factors affecting
those losses. The study was conducted Agunakolapalassa and Barawakumbuka in
Southern province. Primary data were gathered through a field survey by interviewing
twenty farmers of each fruit crop, fifteen whole sellers and retailers of each fruit crop
and twenty consumers of both fruit crops. Secondary data were collected from
Government and non government organizations including Hector Kobbakaduwa
Research and Training Institute, Industrial Technology Institute and the Department of
Census and Statistics.
Data revealed that there were few farmers and sellers who adopt special practices for
maintaining the keeping quality of fruits. The loss of both banana and papaya at the
farm gate was 2.98% and 7.35% respectively. The large amount of fruit waste occured
during transportation due to lack of proper packing materials and rough handling.4.7%
and 5 .9 % loss banana and papaya at the retailer level due to over maturity and disease
infections. Then total post harvest loss of banana was 27.2% and the value of papaya
was 44.4%. The valuation of the total loss roughly estimated as Rs.59474 for one
month period.