PROJECT PROPOSAL PRESENTATION

NAME: NJURU IRENE NYAMBURA

REG NO: A22/0005/2009

COURSE: BSC. AGRICULTURE (CROP SCIENCE)TITLE: EFFECT OF POST HARVEST HANDLING

AND PACKAGING ON THE SHELF LIFE OF POTATO(Solanum tuberosum)

SUPERVISOR: DR.R. NYANKANGA

INTRODUCTION

Potato is the world fourth largest food crop

after wheat, rice and maize. It is an important

food crop in Kenya with production volume

second to maize. Kenya is the biggest potato

producer in sub Saharan Africa with an output

of 790,000 tons in 2006 (FAO, 2008)

It is an important source of carbohydrates,

proteins and vitamin B and has around 2.1%

protein on fresh weight basis.

CONT…

The general constraint of potato production

in Kenya include poor quality seed, poor crop

husbandry, poor post harvest handling and

marketing systems.

The percentage loss of potato due to post

harvest handling is estimated to be 40%

Potato production is seasonal and it lack

proper storage methods such as cold storage

PROBLEM STATEMENT AND JUSTIFICATION

In agriculture sector, a lot of emphasis has

been put on research and development of

agriculture production and fewer resources in

post harvest development. However post

harvest losses are estimated to be 40%

(Guyton et al.,1994)

Potato is a bulky and fleshy crop with a short

storage life therefore need careful handling,

packaging and storage

CONT…

Addressing the aspect of post harvest losses caused by improper handling and packaging of potatoes is a major strategy in achieving the food security goal.

The crop is produced by small scale farmers who contribute over 90% of the total production. The knowledge on post harvest handling and packaging is necessary

OBJECTIVES AND HYPOTHESISGeneral objective:

Reduce the potato losses caused by post harvest handling.

Specific objectives: Determine the effect of post harvest handling

on storage life of potatoes. Determine the effect of packaging on the

shelf life of potatoesHypothesis

Handling and packaging has no effect on post harvest life of potatoes

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A survey to determine the extent of post harvest losses due to post harvest handling and packaging

A survey will be carried in Kangemi and Kawangware market using questionnaires

A sample size will be 30 questionnaires per market where the suppliers, wholesalers and retailers will be interviewed

The questionnaires will include information on sources of potatoes, varieties sold, main methods of transport used, methods of packaging and storage and what determines the choice of the methods and the varieties marketed

CONT…

Determine the effect of handling and packaging

Potatoes of the main varieties sold in the market will be collected from the two markets randomly, sorted and graded to have uniform size

Treatments will consist of four packaging methods-cartons, plastic bags, hessian bags and nets. The experiment will be laid as CRD with each treatment having 10 potatoes. The experiment will be replicated 3 times.

CONT…

Measurements: diseases, sprouting, defects, greening and weight loss.

Data analysis The survey will be analyzed using the SPSS

model of data analysis. Data collected from the experiment will be

subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GENSTAT package and the means compared by LSD and tested at 5% level of significance.

BUDGET

ITEM AMOUNTQuestionnaires production

Ksh. 240

Transport Ksh.400Data collection Ksh. 5000Potatoes Ksh. 300Bags Ksh. 1500Total Ksh. 7440

WORK PLAN

JANUARY2013

FEBRUARY2013

MARCH2013

APRIL2013

MAY2013

Proposal writingProposal presentation

Data collection

Data analysis

Report presentation

EXPECTED OUTPUT

The level of post harvest loss of potatoes during marketing will be determined and documented.

The efficiency of packaging materials in reducing post harvest losses will be determined.

Report on post harvest loss will be submitted to the department of plant science and crop protection in partial fulfillment for the degree.

REFERENCE

• FAO (Food Agriculture Organisation). 2009. International year of the potato 2008. New light on a hidden treasure. An end of year review.FAO, Italy.144pp

• MOA (Ministry of Agriculture, Republic of Kenya). 2008. National Policy on Potato Industry. September 2008 (Draft) 37pp

• Anonymous 1997. Post harvest system analysis of potato and sweet potato in Kenya. GTZ, Eschborn, Germany

THANK YOU