Quantification of supply chain loss in banana in south Gujarat- A detailed analysis

Banana is one of the most popular fruits grown and consumed across the country and South Gujarat. Banana is a very important fruit crop in south Gujarat. As per area and production reports 2019 published by the Director of Horticulture, Government of Gujarat, a total of 35800 hectares of land were under banana cultivation, resulting in 24,89,481 metric tons of banana production in South Gujarat in year 2019-20. Bharuch and Narmada districts are the highest banana-growing districts in south Gujarat. The traditional APMC chain and the cooperative supply chain are the major supply chains identified in South Gujarat. Supply chain loss in fruits in India is one of the most significant concerns in the supply chain. However, it is crucial to address an issue that plagues the fruit supply chain in India. Unfortunately, there exists a knowledge gap regarding the extent of these losses in Gujarat and specifically in South Gujarat. The overall magnitude of the losses and the underlying causes at each stage of the supply chain remain unknown. To shed light on this matter, a detailed study was conducted. Both the traditional APMC chains and the cooperative supply chain experience significant losses, amounting to 34.48 and 35.31%, respectively, till banana reaches the retailer These figures highlight the urgent need for intervention from policymakers and the government to address this issue and reduce the overall loss substantially. In conclusion, while bananas continue to thrive as a vital fruit crop in South Gujarat, the high percentage of post-harvest losses demands immediate attention.