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A study was conducted to determine the effect of post-harvest losses on artisanal fisheries production in Mtera Dam, Tanzania, based on specific objectives: (1) to analyze factors associated to post harvest loss, (2)to quantify the amount in post harvest losses at Mtera Dam, and (3) to evaluate mitigation measures to overcome post-harvest losses. A cross-sectional research design was adopted whereby both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. The sample size of this study was 108 respondents comprising 34 from Iringa, 51 from Chamwino and 23 from Mpwapwa districts. A Questionnaire Loss Assessment Method (QLAM) was used. Three Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) sessions wereheld among fisheries management officers, Beach Management Units (BMU) teams, as well as the fishers community. Checklists, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were administered among the important fishers stakeholders of both Chamwino and Mpwapwa district for Dodoma region, and Iringa Rural district to represent Iringa region. Data on factors associated to post harvest loss, quantified post harvest losses, and available mitigation measures to overcome post-harvest losseswere analysed into simple descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Identified factors associated to post harvest fish losses include size of boat with respect to carrying capacity, type of boats used in fishing, poor transportation infrastructures, lack of storage facilities, as well as poor cleaning tools used. Pre-storage phases contributed the largest proportion (49 %) compared to the storage phage (27 %), and the transportation phase (24 %). Suggested mitigation measures to overcome post-harvest fish losses include the use of freezers and modern fishing gears, provision of financial support, improvement of storage facilities, and improved infrastructures for transportation. It could be concluded that,different causal factors at different phases account to 24 % loss of fish catch at Mtera dam. Improved fish handling, transportation facilities, storage and processing technologies would overcome post-harvest fish losses at Mtera dam. |
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