The Failure to Implement Plastic Crates to Transport Fruits and Vegetables in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an agricultural country. In most of the rural areas, the primary income is generated from vegetable and fruit cultivation. Vegetable cultivation has been subjected to harvest losses for many years. The study explores the factors affecting the rejection of the plastic crate system introduced by the government as a remedy to overcome post-harvest losses. For the qualitative study 5 academics, 2 agricultural specialists, 3 leading farmers, and 5 dealers in fruit and vegetable trading were selected using the judgmental sampling method. The interview method was used to gather data and the thematic approach was used as the analysis tool. The main factor affecting the rejection of plastic crates is the container storage problem. Inflexibility in reverse logistics, inflexibility in management, lack of options for damaged containers, etc. are the dominant factors for farmers. At the same time, the dealers, have different factors such as high costs in reverse logistics. Poor awareness has influenced the rejection of plastic crates without considering the benefits of usage. Therefore, the study identified that the lack of education of farmers had become the main reason for post-harvest losses and the rejection of plastic crates by the farmers. They do not agree to accept the financial benefits of reducing post-harvest loss. The dealers dominate the market neglecting the needs of the final recipients of the fruits and vegetable supply chain in Sri Lanka. Handling difficulties of crates, storage problems related to crates, and the high cost of returning crates to farmland need to be considered when reestablishing the system.