Title: Postharvest loss estimation of cut rose (Rosa hybrida) flower farms: economic analysis in East Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

Authors: Mohammed Aman

Addresses: College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, School of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 50, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Abstract: Despite the sector's role of sustaining economic growth, there is considerable loss in rose cut flower production due to improper postharvest handling. This study's survey was conducted from first week of February to last week of April, 2011 in three districts of East Shoa Zone, Ethiopia for estimating farm level postharvest loss in rose cut flower production. The postharvest loss at farm level was estimated to be 4 stems/m². The maximum postharvest loss (31.88%) was obtained for harvesting stage, while the least loss (2.89%) for storaging stage due to use of refrigerated storage. Besides, distance of the farm from the airport, age of the flower plant, farm manager's experience and education, access to contract input were found to be determinants of postharvest loss. To ameliorate the postharvest loss of rose cut flowers, there should be training for workers, intensification of production, improving road transport infrastructure and encouraging contract farming among producers.

Keywords: sustainable resources; postharvest loss; greenhouses; roses; cut flowers; postharvest operations; refrigerated storage; Ethiopia; postharvest loss estimation; Rosa hybrida; flower farms: economic analysis; sustainable development; sustainability; postharvest handling; employee training; production intensification; road transport infrastructure; contract farming.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSE.2014.058518

International Journal of Sustainable Economy, 2014 Vol.6 No.1, pp.82 - 95

Published online: 17 Jun 2014 *

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