Post-Harvest Losses In Artisanal Fisheries Production In Mtera Dam, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to determine the effect of post-harvest losses on artisanal

fisheries production in Mtera Dam, Tanzania, based on specific objectives: (1) to

analyze factors associated to post harvest loss, (2)to quantify the amount in post

harvest losses at Mtera Dam, and (3) to evaluate mitigation measuresto overcome

post-harvest losses. A cross-sectional research design was adopted whereby both

quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. The sample size of this

study was 108 respondents comprising 34 from Iringa, 51 from Chamwino and 23

from Mpwapwa districts. A Questionnaire Loss Assessment Method (QLAM) was

used. Three Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) sessions wereheld among fisheries

management officers, Beach Management Units (BMU) teams, as well as the fishers

community. Checklists, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were administered among

the important fishers stakeholders of both Chamwino and Mpwapwa district for

Dodoma region, and Iringa Rural district to represent Iringa region. Data on factors

associated to post harvest loss, quantified post harvest losses, and available

mitigation measures to overcome post-harvest losseswere analysed into simple

descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS).

Identified factors associated to post harvest fish losses include size of boat with

respect to carrying capacity, type of boats used in fishing, poor transportation

infrastructures, lack of storage facilities, as well as poor cleaning tools used. Prestorage

phases contributed the largest proportion (49 %) compared to the storage

phage (27 %), and the transportation phase (24 %). Suggested mitigation measures

to overcome post-harvest fish losses include the use of freezers and modern fishing

gears, provision of financial support, improvement of storage facilities, and

improved infrastructures for transportation. It could be concluded that,different

causal factors at different phases account to 24 % loss of fish catch at Mtera dam.

Improved fish handling, transportation facilities, storage and processing

technologies would overcome post-harvest fish losses at Mtera dam.