Analysis of Post-Harvest Losses in the Production and Marketing of Fresh Tomato in Kano State, Nigeria
Mohammed Mustapha Bada1, Ashafa Salisu Sambo2, Kabir Abdulaziz3, and Ibrahim Yakubu2
1Bank of Agriculture, Maiduguri Main Branch, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
2Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
3Dala Inland Dry Port, Kano, Nigeria.
E-mail address: ashafasambo@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The study analysed post-harvest losses of fresh tomato marketing at various stages of the food supply chain viz. farm, wholesale and retail market levels in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kano State namely; Kura, Tofa and Wudil. Multi-stage sampling technique was used for sample selection. A pretested questionnaire was used
to collect data from the respondents selected randomly. A proportion of 10% of actors was chosen from a sample frame of 1604. The sample size comprises 96 producers, 21 wholesalers and 43 retailers making a total of 160 respondents. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Post-harvest loss estimation model. The results of the analysis revealed that the major causes of tomato post-harvest losses were physical fruit damage, pest and disease attack, and varietal
characteristics. The losses were greater during harvest for producers and greater during storage for the marketers. To reduce problems associated with post-harvest losses, the study recommends training farmers on post-harvest handling technologies, providing improved packaging, storage, and transportation facilities at affordable prices, harvesting produce at the proper maturity stage, and avoiding the avoidance of rough
handling of fruits to reduce physical damage. Keywords: Tomatoes, Post-harvest losses, Production, Marketing, Kano State,
Nigeria.
