WASTE ANALYSIS IN POST-HARVEST FRUIT MARKETING: A MEASURE TO REDUCE ECONOMIC WASTAGE IN ILARO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA..

One of the major problems globally facing African farmers and threatening sustainable food and environmental security is food losses and waste. It constitutes economic wastage in the rural areas. This study analyzed losses in post-harvest of fruit marketing in the Ilaro area of Ogun State. A Purposive sampling procedure was used to select 116 fruit marketers. Well-structured questionnaires and interview schedules were used to obtain data on the socio-economic characteristics of fruit marketers and factors contributing to fruit wastage. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analyses with different model distributions. The findings show, formal education, storage system, packaging materials for fruit, distance from fruits source, methods of sales of fruits, bad pricing of fruits, low standard transportation facilities, and low level of demand for fruits were significant at 5% level to the high level of post-harvest losses among the fruits marketers. The mean loss for fruit wastage among fruits marketers in the study area was (₦ 5363.99) per month. Therefore, fruits marketers need more enlightenment and training through extension agents on careful handling, transportation, and packaging of fresh fruits. Also, there should be the establishment of industries dealing with fruits; this will help the marketers in the area of the low level of demand for fruits thereby reducing post-harvest losses in the area.