| dc.description.abstract | This study aimed to assess postharvest losses among rice farmers in Region 11,
Philippines. It focused on examining the socio-economic characteristics of the
farmers, their postharvest management practices, the causes and extent of
postharvest losses, and identifying factors that influence these losses. The ultimate
goal was to develop strategic actions to reduce and manage postharvest losses. A
multi-stage sampling design was employed to select 440 rice farmers from various
municipalities in four provinces within the region. The research design utilized a
descriptive-causal approach, and data were collected through interviews with the
farmers. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were employed to
analyze the data. The study found that the majority of farmers were middle-aged
males with an average of 25.3 years of farming experience. They primarily operated
small-scale farms. Postharvest losses were substantial, particularly during
harvesting, attributed to socio-cultural, biological, mechanical, and climatological
factors. Approximately 42.2% of postharvest loss variation was explained by factors
including monthly income, total rice area, postharvest training, and the availability
of a threshing machine. Based on the findings, the study recommends increased
participation in farming activities among household members, more significant
investment in postharvest training, and efficient postharvest management practices
for larger-scale operations. Future research should explore factors with nonsignificant effects on postharvest losses. Keywords: postharvest loss, socio-economic factors, multiple linear regression,
postharvest management practices, postharvest training, threshing
machinery, Philippines | en_US |
