Assessment of Stakeholders’ Knowledge of the Effect of Propolis on Postharvest Management of Bananas in the Banana Value Chain

This study assessed stakeholders’ knowledge regarding the effect of propolis extract and its efficacy on the postharvest management of bananas in the Mampong Municipality, Ashanti Region, Ghana. The study focused on Mampong municipal, Kasunya, and Oboun estates of Golden Exotics Limited and Volta River Estate Limited Ghana. Multistage sampling was employed to select a sample of 418 stakeholders within the banana value chain consisting of banana producers (201), banana traders (165), extension officers (13), banana exporters (12), banana processors (5), and beekeepers (22), using a combination of random and purposeful sampling. Females significantly constituted the majority of all stakeholders, and this was pronounced among producers and traders. A significantly large number (45%) of the stakeholders (mostly producers and traders) were Junior High School (JHS) graduates, while only a small number (13%) of the stakeholders (mostly exporters, extension officers, and processors) were tertiary graduates. The stakeholders’ minimum and maximum age bracket was 23 and 65 years, respectively. A significant number of stakeholders (49%) did not know propolis, while about 37% knew of it. Banana traders, producers, extension officers, and processors are oblivious to the benefits of propolis. Hence, they do not use it as a postharvest treatment to maintain the quality of fruits. The few stakeholders (bee producers and exporters) who knew opined they heard of it through media, workshops, and friends. Nonetheless, the study showed that there is a general lack of awareness among key stakeholders such as producers, traders, extension officers, and processors on the importance of propolis in the postharvest value chain of bananas. The study highlights the importance of addressing the knowledge gaps among stakeholders in the banana value chain regarding propolis and its potential impact on postharvest management and recommends more education and awareness-raising campaigns to promote the use of propolis extract. This study assessed stakeholders’ knowledge regarding the effect of propolis extract and its efficacy on the postharvest management of bananas in the Mampong Municipality, Ashanti Region, Ghana. The study focused on Mampong municipal, Kasunya, and Oboun estates of Golden Exotics Limited and Volta River Estate Limited Ghana. Multistage sampling was employed to select a sample of 418 stakeholders within the banana value chain consisting of banana producers (201), banana traders (165), extension officers (13), banana exporters (12), banana processors (5), and beekeepers (22), using a combination of random and purposeful sampling. Females significantly constituted the majority of all stakeholders, and this was pronounced among producers and traders. A significantly large number (45%) of the stakeholders (mostly producers and traders) were Junior High School (JHS) graduates, while only a small number (13%) of the stakeholders (mostly exporters, extension officers, and processors) were tertiary graduates. The stakeholders’ minimum and maximum age bracket was 23 and 65 years, respectively. A significant number of stakeholders (49%) did not know propolis, while about 37% knew of it. Banana traders, producers, extension officers, and processors are oblivious to the benefits of propolis. Hence, they do not use it as a postharvest treatment to maintain the quality of fruits. The few stakeholders (bee producers and exporters) who knew opined they heard of it through media, workshops, and friends. Nonetheless, the study showed that there is a general lack of awareness among key stakeholders such as producers, traders, extension officers, and processors on the importance of propolis in the postharvest value chain of bananas. The study highlights the importance of addressing the knowledge gaps among stakeholders in the banana value chain regarding propolis and its potential impact on postharvest management and recommends more education and awareness-raising campaigns to promote the use of propolis extract.