A Survey on Production and Postharvest Handling of Pepper in the Upper Manya Krobo District In The Eastern Region of Ghana

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2013-05
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Abstract
The research work focussed on production and postharvest handling of pepper in the Upper Manya Krobo District in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The survey covered all the four agricultural zones in the District namely Asesewa, Anyabony, Sekesua and Sisiamang. The target groups for the research were large-scale producers, traders and consumers of pepper. The research aimed at identifying the various cultural practices adopted by producers; assess harvesting practices; assess the postharvest handling operations that are carried out; and to offer suggestions and recommendations with regards to postharvest handling of pepper. In all hundred (100) respondents were randomly sampled from all the four zones in the District. Data was collected from the respondents through the use of questionnaire backed by an interview. The results were analysed and put into frequencies, percentages and graphs. The results from the study revealed that Legon 18, Scotch Bonnet and sweet pepper were the main species cultivated by farmers; some farmers did not apply pesticides leading to insect infestation and disease infection which consequently affected the shelf-life of the fresh pepper. Traders often display their produce in the sun, which leads to an increased temperature hence faster rate of deterioration. The study further revealed that consumers and traders usually store their produce in refrigerators without washing them, leading to contamination with pathogens causing rot. It was suggested that good quality seeds should be obtained from Research Institutions and good agronomic packages disseminated to farmers to offset postharvest losses.
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A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science and Technology, in partial fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Master Of Science Degree In Postharvest Technology,
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