ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF POST HARVEST LOSSES IN ONION IN JODHPUR DISTRICT OF RAJASTHAN

A study was undertaken to examine the nature and extent of post-harvest losses in onion supply chain in the Jodhpur district which is major onion district of Rajasthan. A total sample size of 75 onion growers, 20 wholesalers and 25 retailers was taken from Jodhpur district. Maximum aggregate post-harvest losses (24.47 kg/q) have been found at producer level due to faulty storage, lack of adequate transportation, drying, improper handling of the produce at the time of marketing, rotted bulbs, doubles, bolters, poor packing facilities, injury at the time of harvesting and de-topping. Total losses in the supply chain were estimated to be 30.87 kg/q (79.27 %) losses were observed at farm level and rest were contributed at wholesale and retail level. The farm level post harvest losses excluding the losses at farm level storage for Jodhpur district was estimated to be 119013.58q for the year 2009-10