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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Date
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.
Description
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,