Post-Harvest Technology Needs Assessment among Small-Scale Fisherfolk in Barangay Tinabilan, Palompon, Leyte, Philippines

Post-harvest losses remain a major challenge in small-scale fisheries, reducing product quality, food availability, and fisherfolk income. This study assessed the post-harvest technology needs of small-scale fisherfolk in Barangay Tinabilan, Palompon, Leyte, Philippines. Specifically, it identified existing post-harvest technologies, determined technological gaps and constraints, and established priority technology needs that could contribute to reducing post-harvest losses, improving product quality, enhancing fisherfolk livelihoods, and promoting sustainable fisheries development. A descriptive research design utilizing a Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) approach was employed. Data were collected from 60 randomly selected small-scale fisherfolk through a validated survey questionnaire and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, weighted means, and ranking. Findings revealed that ice preservation, insulated containers, and traditional drying methods were the most commonly utilized post-harvest technologies. However, limited access to modern technologies such as cold-storage facilities, solar dryers, and vacuum packaging systems was observed. The major constraints identified were the lack of cold-storage facilities, high costs of post-harvest technologies, and limited access to ice supplies. Among the identified technology needs, community cold-storage facilities, ice-making facilities, and solar-powered fish dryers emerged as the highest priorities. The study highlights the importance of strengthening post-harvest infrastructure, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance fisheries value chains, improve food security, increase fisherfolk income, and support sustainable coastal community development.