Post-Harvest Loss Reduction Strategies Among Fruit and Vegetable Farmers in Ankpa and Dekina LGAs of Kogi State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study examined post-harvest loss reduction strategies among 100 fruit and vegetable farmers in Ankpa and Dekina LGAs, Kogi State, Nigeria. Majority were female (52%), aged 50, with secondary education, and married (73%). Mean household size was 8 persons, and monthly income was N126,705. Main causes of loss were long-distance to market (99%), poor packaging (93%), and microbial attack (86%). Losses occurred during processing, packaging, storage, and transportation. The study highlights the need for improved infrastructure and strategies to reduce post-harvest losses.Out of the fifteen strategies investigated, the respondents indicated high level of adoption in the following; buying vehicles for transportation ( = 3.36), maturity stage of harvest ( = 3.28±0.65), proper packaging ( = 2.97±0.83), early harvest ( = 2.76±1.21) and among others. Challenges associated with post-harvest reduction in the study area based on severity were inadequate market information ( = 3.88±0.33), lack of incentives ( = 3.32±0.58), shortage of funds ( = 3.27±0.83) etc. Coefficient of determination (R2) were 0.244 indicating that 24.4% variation in post-harvest adopted strategies was explained by variation in socio-economic characteristics. , some measures have been employed to address specific causes of post-harvest losses, such as long-distance from farm to market, poor packaging facilities and microbial attack. Government and private sector should establish agro- processing industries in rural areas for vegetable crops in order to reduce post-harvest losses.
Keywords
Post-Harvest LossReduction StrategiesSpoilagewastagesFruit and Vegetable FarmersAnkpa and DekinaKogi StateNigeria
References
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