Exploring value chain and post-harvest losses of Teff in Bacho and Dawo districts of central Ethiopia

This study was made with the aim of exploring Teff value chain and postharvest-losses in Ethiopia. Semi-structured survey questionnaire and interview of key informants were used to collect primary data. Characterizations, descriptive statistics, Probit, and Tobit regression models were used to analyze data collected. SPSS and Microsoft Excel were used to analyze the data. The result identified major chain actors in the supply chains. The supply chains were characterized by open and untraceable chains without any collaborative relationships among chain actors. The assessment on elements of logistics functions noted that donkey and human labor serving major role as means of transportation, gotara and gumbi/togogo as major storage facility, and plastic sacks as major packaging material. Using probit model, attendance of formal education was identified as the most determining factor for farmers’ value addition decisions. Farmers’ stage loss of 8.18% was identified as the highest percentage losses and could be considered as loss hotspot point in the chain. Using Likert scale assessment, farmers’ stage Teff post-harvest loss causing factors were identified in order of severity where threshing process was indicated as the severest problem. Using Tobit model, sex, family size, level of output, bad weather condition, distance to the nearest market, and storage facilities were found significantly affecting farmers’ stage post-harvest losses. Strengthening farmers’ cooperatives and the need of further work where all chain actors and stakeholders are engaged to break the self-centered mentality and create awareness towards established Teff supply chains characterized by win-win cooperation among chain actors was recommended