Value Chain Analysis of the Pre and Post-Harvest Factors Deteriorating the Quality of Coffee in the Chole District, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The research aimed to identify the quality deteriorating factors at pre and post-harvest level of the coffee value chain in the Arsi Zone of Chole district. Different research strategies were employed to answer the research questions, which include; desk study, interview, focus group discussion, field survey and observation were employed to collect pertinent information on the pre-harvest and post-harvest factors within the value chain. Data were collected and analyzed by different methods to identify which practices were the possible factors deteriorating the quality of the coffee in the value chain. The result indicated that, at the pre-harvest level, inadequate use of fertilizers, limited moisture, lack of practicing rejuvenation and pruning, coffee wilt and berry diseases, insect pest incidence were the main factors to deteriorate the quality coffee production. At the post-harvest level, carrying out of improper harvesting practices, hardly use of recommended packaging materials, unconducive storage system, mixing of water and foreign matters on dried coffee were some of the factors affecting the quality of the coffee. To address the identified factors, at the pre and postharvest level along the coffee value chain, applied recommendations were given to selected stakeholders.

Keywords: coffee, value chain, quality, pre-harvest, post-harvest