Post-Harvest Loss Assessment and Mitigation Strategies for Smallholder Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Value Chains in Eastern Kenya

African Journal of Agriculture | Vol. 13, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 082–089

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJA/000744

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Post-Harvest Loss Assessment and Mitigation Strategies for Smallholder Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Value Chains in Eastern Kenya

Names of Authors: Josphat K. Mutua¹, Agnes W. Mwang'ombe¹, Solomon I. Shibairo²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya; ²Faculty of Agriculture, Kibabii University, Bungoma, Kenya

Abstract: Post-harvest losses severely depress the economic returns of smallholder mango (Mangifera indica L.) growers across East Africa, with waste often driven by poor handling and inadequate cold storage. This study quantified physical and quality losses along the mango value chain in Machakos County, Kenya, and evaluated the efficacy of low-cost evaporative cooling chambers (ECC) combined with hexanal vapor treatments to extend shelf life. Quantitative loss assessments were tracked across three primary hubs: harvesting, transit, and rural wholesale markets. Freshly harvested 'Apple' mango fruits were treated with 0.02% v/v hexanal vapor for 4 hours and stored either inside a charcoal-walled ECC (mean temperature 21.4 ± 1.2 °C, relative humidity 84.5%) or under ambient room conditions (mean temperature 29.2 ± 1.8 °C, relative humidity 54.2%). Value chain tracking revealed a cumulative post-harvest loss of 38.4%, with the highest single-point loss occurring during rural marketing (18.2%). Combining hexanal vapor with ECC storage significantly delayed fruit softening, weight loss, and chlorophyll degradation (p < 0.05). Mangoes subjected to the combined treatment maintained standard market firmness and total soluble solids (14.2 °Brix) for up to 24 days, compared to only 8 days for control fruits stored under ambient conditions. Implementing this integrated low-cost post-harvest protocol can dramatically cut economic losses, stabilize market supply, and lift smallholder net revenues by an estimated 26.0%.

Keywords: Mangifera indica, Evaporative cooling, Hexanal vapor, Shelf life, Value chain, Quality retention

Manuscript Timeline: Received: May 12, 2026; Revised: June 20, 2026; Accepted: July 15, 2026; Published: August 30, 2026

Citation: Mutua, J. K., Mwang'ombe, A. W., & Shibairo, S. I. (2026). Post-Harvest Loss Assessment and Mitigation Strategies for Smallholder Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Value Chains in Eastern Kenya. African Journal of Agriculture, 13(8), 082–089. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJA/000744

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