Assessment of Orange Losses and Existence of Post-Harvest Methods (PHM) Along the Coast Belt of Tanzania

An assessment of orange fruits losses and investigating of post-harvest methods was conducted in Mkuranga district which is situated along the Coast Belt of Tanzania. The district is among of the producer of orange fruits in the country. The study discovered that an average of 9,889 tons of pieces of orange fruits are produced mainly by small holder farmers in the district per year and about 3.9 tons (39.7 percent) of the produced orange fruits found to be wasted per year. The study analysis indicates that about 15 percent of the orange fruits wasted during harvesting process, 18 percent loss of orange fruits occurred during handling process, 50 percent of orange fruits lost at a storage places and 17 percent lost during transportation from farm to the market place.  At a household level, the analysis indicates that an average of 70 of orange trees owned per household and that at a moment of harvesting process each orange tree bears an average of 400 pieces of orange fruits. About 25,000 pieces of orange fruits investigated to be harvested per household per year where by an average of 19,000 pieces of orange fruits are sold per year per household at an average price of 30 TSH (equal to USD 0.018) per piece. About 3,000 piece of orange fruits found to be consumed by family members, relatives and friends per year per household and an average of 3,000 pieces of orange fruits found to be wasted per year per household. The study revealed that an existing methods and facilities for harvesting (orange smashing), handling and storage (nylon and plastic bags) are poor and are main causes of the orange waste or loss in the district.  Moreover, poor transportation infrastructures such as road is noted to contribute in fruit loss. Improved methods and facilities for harvesting, handling, storage and transportation are suggested to be commenced in the district for orange loss reduction. Trainings, awareness and skills at each point of post-harvest chain (PPHC) starting from primary to secondary actors should be collectively emphasized by both government and non-government institutions in Tanzania. Keywords : Orange losses, Existing-post-harvest methods, Coast Belt of Tanzania