MARKETING ACTIVITIES AND POST HARVEST LOSSES OF MANGO IN CHAPAI NAWABGANJ DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Mango is the one of the most important fruits in Bangladesh. A research was conducted at the Shibganj upazila under Chapai Nawabganj District. Chapai Nawabganj is the leading districts of mango production all over in the Country. A total of 80 respondents taking 40 farmers and 40 traders were interviewed from Chapai Nawabganj. The data were collected from Chapai Nawabgonj districts during the period of mid-June to mid-July, 2018. The results revealed that all farmers (100%) and traders (100%) showed positive attitudes towards safe mango, and role of good packaging, and took various pre- and postharvest measures for keeping mangoes safe for the consumers. The estimated average postharvest losses were 4.82% and 5.67% at farm and traders’ level respectively. At farm level, these losses occurred during time of collection ( harvesting), cleaning, transportation time , late sell and natural reason but at traders’ level, losses occurred due to bad road infrastructure, chemical use, bad weather and less market demand which are discarded during sorting & grading after harvest. The highest loss was occurred at Wholesaler (6.17%) followed by Retailer (6.10%). This study identifies supply chains for mango marketing. The longest and prominent channel is Farmer Faria Bepari Wholesaler Retailer. Farmers and Middleman use different local carriers like bicycle, rickshaw, and van (manual cart) to transport mango. Retailer receives the highest net margin (154617.32 Tk./T) due to lower marketing cost and spoilage and higher selling rate followed by Bepari and Faria. Major problems to run business at traders’ level are lack of information, lack of capital and unstable market price. Most of the consumers purchase mangoes from retailers. Good quality and price are the two major factors that influence them to purchase mango.