Modeling the critical causal factors of postharvest losses in the vegetable supply chain in eThekwini metropolitan municipality: The log-linear regression model.

Vegetables, rich in essential bioactive compounds, are crucial for human health and vital to the global food system. However, the supply chain for vegetables is intricate, marked by product seasonality, demand variability, and limited shelf life. These factors contribute to significant losses, with 44 % of global vegetable production wasted at various stages in the food chain. Postharvest losses (PHLs) are a considerable issue, posing risks to food security and economic sustainability. Despite numerous interventions aimed at reducing PHLs, a comprehensive understanding of the primary causes remains insufficient, preventing the implementation of practical solutions. The study investigates the factors causing PHLs in the vegetable supply chain. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 238 farmers. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and a multi-stratified random sampling method. Descriptive statistics and log-linear regression were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that 56 % of the farmers were women, with an average age of 45 and a household size of five. Most farmers had completed 12 years of education, with 76 % being unemployed and 78 % depending on farming as their primary source of income. The regression analysis showed that age, distance to markets, and lack of transportation were significant factors at the 1 % level. In contrast, education, farming experience, market access, and weather conditions were significant at the 5 % level. The study recommends policies promoting innovative postharvest technologies alongside investment in infrastructure to mitigate these losses.