AN ECONOMETRIC ESTIMATION OF POST-HARVEST LOSSES OF CUT-FLOWERS IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The study was conducted to quantify the post-harvest losses (PHL) of cut-flowers at
various levels of market intermediaries’ i.e. farm, commission agent, wholesale market and retail
levels. Primary data were collected from district Kasur, Lahore, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad. The
respondents were selected by employing the stratified random sampling technique. SPSS was used for
the descriptive statistics and multiple regression model analysis for econometric estimation. The
econometric estimation revealed that variable of education, experience, floriculture area, picking
method; picking time and extension services had a significant impact on losses on farm level, whereas
education and infrastructure showed a significant effect on losses at a commission agent level. The
determinants of PHL at the wholesale level were experience, loading method, and cold storage,
transportation while education, unsold quantity, retailer type, kind of shop and storage place had a
significant effect on losses at the retailer level. Proper training and scientific knowledge should be
given to traders regarding storage, grading, handling, displaying and processing of flowers. The study
suggests adopting a scientific approach to minimize these losses.