Abstract:
Agricultural sector in Sri Lanka produces more
than 80 varieties of fruits and vegetables, and the development
of the sector along with the improvement of quality and
efficiency can provide significant benefits to the economy
through domestic and export marketing. The majority of the
farmers involved in the fruits and vegetable sector are small
scale farmers and the supply chain is majorly controlled by the
intermediaries. Malpractices committed by farmers as well as
intermediaries throughout different stages of the vegetable
supply have been the primary causes of post-harvest losses. This
paper examines the role of intermediaries along the vegetable
supply chain and identifies factors contributing to the postharvest
losses. The results are based on an in-depth personal
interview with 7 industry personnel. The results revealed
improper packaging, malpractices during transportation,
careless handling, and unsuitable harvesting practices as major
causes of post-harvest losses. The research also points out how
the lack of obligation and the connectivity among intermediaries
toward a common goal of an efficient and effective vegetable
supply chain in Sri Lanka leads to current issues in the vegetable
supply chain. The paper discusses factors with reference to the
available literature, derive policy implications and provide
directives for future research.
