An Analysis of Key Factors Contributing to Apple Waste from the Perspective of Gardeners in Tehran Province, Iran

The increasing waste of agricultural products is a significant threat to food security worldwide, including Iran. The horticultural sector faces a critical challenge with significant fruit waste, particularly apples, occurring at various supply chain stages. Coping with this problem and improving apple waste management at the garden level is important for achieving sustainable agriculture and food security goals. This study aimed to identify the main factors influencing apple waste from the viewpoint of apple gardeners in Tehran province, Iran, which plays a pivotal role in apple production and supplying the fruit to markets nationwide. The statistical population of the study was apple gardeners in Tehran province (N = 9310), out of which 188 people were selected as a sample by applying the Cochran formula. The data were collected through a researcher-made structured questionnaire developed for this study. Personal face-to-face interviews were conducted with the gardeners by adopting a cluster sampling technique. A panel judgment of the faculty members in the Department of Agricultural Management and Development at the University of Tehran confirmed the questionnaire’s validity. Its reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha value above 0.7. The collected data were later analyzed by descriptive statistics measures and confirmatory factor analysis in SPSS and Smart PLS software. This study found that inefficient harvesting practices are the primary contributors to apple waste in Tehran, particularly due to improper handling and timing. It highlighted the need for better training, improved harvesting methods, and enhanced infrastructure. Addressing these factors through targeted interventions could significantly reduce apple waste, improving both economic viability and sustainability in the region’s apple production sector.