Comparative Assessment of Consumer Preferences and Sensory Attributes of GAP and Non-GAP Greenhouse Tomatoes among Urban Consumers in Mogadishu, Somalia

Purpose: In Mogadishu, Somalia, the cultivation of tomatoes in greenhouses is rapidly gaining popularity as farmers strive to improve both yield and quality. Despite this trend, there is limited understanding of consumer perceptions regarding tomatoes grown using Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) compared to those produced through traditional, non-GAP methods. This study assessed the sensory qualities and consumer preferences for tomatoes from both farming techniques. Methodology: This study evaluated the sensory attributes and consumer acceptability of tomatoes from both production systems. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two treatments (GAP vs. non-GAP) was applied. Thirty untrained panelists rated appearance, aroma, flavor, texture, and overall acceptability on a five-point hedonic scale (1 = dislike a lot - 5 = like a lot). Data were analyzed using Minitab v.19. Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests were applied to ensure robustness of the findings. Findings: The findings revealed that tomatoes grown with GAP received higher scores than non-GAP tomatoes in terms of appearance (4.27 ± 0.86 versus 4.01 ± 0.94), aroma (4.06 ± 0.96 compared to 3.76 ± 1.02), flavor (4.04 ± 1.04 against 3.68 ± 1.12), and overall acceptability (4.21 ± 0.94 as opposed to 3.96 ± 1.12) (all p < 0.001). No notable difference in texture was observed between the two types. The Pearson correlation showed strong positive associations among the sensory attributes, especially between flavor and overall acceptability (r = 0.647). Panelists were also more willing to pay a higher price for GAP tomatoes, with an average price difference of 0.84 USD (p < 0.001), suggesting a perception of superior quality. Unique Contribution Theory, Policy and Practice: Overall, the results indicate that implementing GAP enhances key sensory attributes and increases consumer satisfaction. The study recommends that tomato growers in Mogadishu adopt GAP to improve product quality and competitiveness. Additionally, policymakers and extension services should support GAP training and awareness programs to promote sustainable, market-oriented tomato production in Somalia.