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 HYPOTHESIS General 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 potatoes Hypothesis 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.

Questionnaires production Ksh. 240 Transport Ksh.400 Data collection BUDGET ITEM AMOUNT Questionnaires production Ksh. 240 Transport Ksh.400 Data collection Ksh. 5000 Potatoes Ksh. 300 Bags Ksh. 1500 Total Ksh. 7440

Work plan Proposal writing Proposal presentation Data collection JANUARY 2013 FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY Proposal writing Proposal 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

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