Estimation Of Post-Harvest Losses Of Potato In Markets Of Some Selected Districts In Bangladesh

A survey was carried out following questionnaire to estimate the status of post-harvest losses of potato from potato retailers in different markets of Comilla, Dinajpur, Mymensingh and Rangpur district. Basic information of potato retailers such as age, gender, educational qualification, marketing experience, ownership and their basic knowledge of stored variety, problems associated in stored potato, storage conditions, causes of losses of stored potato, common storage diseases of potato, possible reasons for rotting of potato in storage, primary source of potato, care of stored potato, most favorable and unfavorable period for potato storage were assessed by direct interview. The average incidence of soft rot, dry rot and scab was found 2.54%, 4.44% and 1.85%, respectively in November, 2019. The total losses due to post-harvest diseases in these markets were found 8.83%. Meanwhile, the total loss of potato due to physical abnormalities was recorded 13.78%. The highest physical abnormalities were observed green potato (6.20%) followed by cut potato (4.27%) and pitted potato (2.10%). This study was a preliminary step for the investigation of the idea of the retailers of the selected districts about the status, problems they faced for potato storage in markets. This was the first time survey from potato retailers of different districts in Bangladesh and estimation of potato loss in the market of Bangladesh.