Logistics Management Practices and Post-Harvest-Loss Among Small-Scale Banana Farmers in Selected Counties in Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70619/vol6iss1pp1-16-728Keywords:
Logistics Management Practices, Post-Harvest Loss, Small-Scale Banana FarmersAbstract
Banana production as a food crop component cannot be underestimated. Bananas are currently ranked fourth among foods produced worldwide. The study aimed to investigate the effects of logistics management practices on post-harvest loss among small-scale banana farmers in selected counties in Kenya. The study used a cross-sectional research design. The target populations were small- scale banana farmers from three selected banana-producing counties in Kenya. The study's sampling frame was a list of 14,447 farmers from three selected counties. The researcher stratified the counties and used a table of random numbers to pick farmers. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data in SPSS. The findings reveal a significant negative relationship between logistics management practices and post-harvest losses among small-scale banana farmers (β = -0.536, p = 0.000). The study concludes that effective logistics management can significantly reduce post-harvest losses. The study recommends that small-scale banana farmers focus on efficient transportation methods and consider traditional technologies. County governments need to train banana farmers on best practices for handling bananas to prevent damage during harvest and post-harvest stages.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dorothy Oballah, Phares Ochola, Vincent O Ongore, Dennis Ouma
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