Postharvest Losses in Maize: Determinants and Effects on Profitability of Processing Agribusiness Enterprises in Tanzania

This paper used a cumulative logic regression analysis to analyse determinants of Postharvest Losses (PHL) and their effects on the profitability of agribusiness enterprises. Findings revealed that postharvest training (p = 0.001), mode of transportation (p = 0.003), storage facility (p = 0.020) duration for storing maize produce (p = 0.011), methods for processing (p = 0.005), quantity of maize transported (p = 0.001) as determinants of PHL influenced agribusiness managers to have an increased profit over constant or decreased profits. On the other hand, postharvest training (p = 0.002), mode of transportation (p = 0.0001), storage facility (p = 0.015), methods for processing (p = 0.022) and quantity of maize transported (p = 0.032) were found to be significantly related to profits in terms of having an increased or constant profit over decreased profits for agribusiness managers. It was concluded that if PHL are reduced through controlling its determinants, agribusiness managers will improve their profits. The study recommended to the government and to the private organisations to develop models of postharvest handling system using the variables which were identified to be the most appropriate determinants of PHL and had effects on the profitability of agribusiness enterprises.