Uapaca kirkiana and Ziziphus mauritiana are two of the priority traditional fruit species that are highly valued by local communities in Zimbabwe. They serve as a source of food and income during both normal rainfall and droughty years. Although they are not currently commercial crops, they are widely marketed in both rural and urban informal markets. Z. mauritiana is sun-dried and stored for later use. Fresh fruits of both species have been reported to be associated with various post-harvest problems that result in losses.

My study aims at determining the influence of pre-harvest soil nutrient and chemica factors and foliar nutrient levels on the quality of the fruits and also to develop appropriate post-harvest fruit handling techniques that will reduce quantitative and qualitative fruit losses in U. kirkiana and Z. mauritiana. This is expected to contribute to the goal of improving food security at household level by increasing the quantities of fruits that are available for household consumption and for sale.