PJB-2019-400
POSTHARVEST LOSSES OF DHAKKI DATE FRUITS DURING SUPPLY CHAIN IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN
Muhammad Suhail
Abstract
Pakistan is considered as one of the top ten ranked countries in date palm fruits production. This study was conducted to assess farm, wholesale and retail levels losses in supply chain of Dhakki dates in D.I.Khan, Pakistan. Furthermore, physical and chemical characteristics of dates were also determined. All the samples were randomly collected at farm level to evaluate losses. Dates were conventionally packaged and transported in open mini trucks to wholesale market and retail outlets/vendors in Peshawar city and losses were determined. Results indicated that overall percent losses in Dhakki dates at farm level were 29.6 %, while losses at wholesale and retail level were observed as 41.33 % and 35.33 %, respectively. The losses occurred during supply chain due to insect’s infestation, birds attack, sunburn fruits, cracking, mechanical damage, fermentation, bruising, decaying and fungal attack. The determination of linear dimensions and fruit mass can reduce the mechanical injuries, bruising, cracking and decaying of Dhakki dates. Proper estimation of firmness has key role to minimizing bruising defects in date fruits. Moreover it is recommended that suitable cushioning materials played a vital role in packaging of Dhakki dates during storage at farm and wholesale level.
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