Exploring Smallholder Farmers’ Awareness and Perceptions of Post-Harvest Tomato Losses, Kirinyaga County, Kenya: A Thematic Analysis

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a widely grown and consumed vegetable in Kenya, but its highly perishable nature makes it prone to post-harvest losses, which reduce marketable produce, lower farmers’ income, and contribute to food insecurity and poor dietary quality. This study explored the levels of awareness and perceptions of smallholder tomato farmers regarding the causes and effects of post-harvest losses. Purposive sampling was used to select Kirinyaga East and Mwea West sub-counties, and a number of tomato farmers were interviewed. Two focus-group discussions and four key informant interviews were conducted in the study area. A total sample of 30 participants was involved in the qualitative study, comprising 26 participants in FDGs and four key informants. In each ward, participants for the FGDs were randomly selected from lists of eligible smallholder tomato farmers to minimize selection bias, while key informants were purposively selected based on their knowledge, experience, and involvement in tomato production, post-harvest handling, and agricultural extension services. Qualitative data were collected and analyzed through thematic analysis using NVivo software. The analysis identified two main themes and five subthemes that captured the key findings from participants’ experiences and perceptions. The findings revealed that farmers were generally aware of post-harvest losses, identifying sorting and grading as critical stages at the farm level. Key causes identified included pest and disease infestations, poor packaging, oversupply, and price fluctuations. Participants described perceived effects such as reduced marketable produce and farm incomes, which influenced their decision-making on reinvesting into subsequent tomato production. They also reported solutions to curb post-harvest losses, which included the provision of training on post-harvest management, investment in good storage facilities, standardized packaging, and provision of input subsidies. Therefore, minimizing these losses through improved post-harvest management, appropriate storage technologies, and encouraging farmer groups can boost farmer incomes, strengthen value chain efficiency, and enhance the sustainability of tomato production in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.