ABSTRACT
The study analysed the use of post-harvest management practices in preservation of tomatoes in Benue state, Nigeria and specifically described the socio-economic characteristics of tomato farmers in Benue State, Nigeria, identified the post-harvest management practices, identified the sources of information on post-harvest management practice, ascertained the extent of utilization of post-harvest management practices, ascertained costliness of utilizing the post-harvest management practice, ascertained the effectiveness in utilization of post-harvest practices of tomatoes. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a sample size of one hundred and eighty farmers for the study. Data were collected through questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as multiples regression analysis and z-test. Results showed farmers mean age of 33 years, mean years of schooling of 12 years, mean household size of 5 persons, mean farm size of 0.6ha and mean annual income of N235,166. Result also showed that the farmers’ sources of information were mainly neighbors (81.7%), family members (81.7%), and fellow farmers (81.1%). From the result, the foremost postharvest management practices used by the tomato farmers were storage in wooden crates or woven cane baskets (
= 3.35), and storage on the floor ( = 2.60). Relatively, there was low utilization of the post-harvest practices since the grand mean of traditional ( =2.09) and modern ( = 1.54) were below the decision rule. Furthermore, results of effectiveness of tomato post management practices revealed that storage in wooden crates or woven cane baskets ( = 2.24), storage on the floor (x̄ = 2.20) and cool storage under tree shades, thatch, among others ( = 2.10) were most effective post-harvest management practices of tomatoes with a grand mean of ( = 2.18). The result of the study further showed that the major constraints associated with the use of post-harvest management practices of tomatoes were pests and rodents attack ( = 3.08), cost of labour is high starting from getting materials ( = 3.08) and tomato spoilage is very high ( = 3.08). The result of the regression analysis showed the coefficient of age (0.131), sex (-0.122), education (0.146), extension visit (0.253), cooperative membership (0.541), and farm size (0.319) were significantly related with the farmers’ utilization of tomatoes post-harvest management practices at 5% significant level. The Z-test result showed a significant difference in the effectiveness of traditional (=2.1792) and modern (=1.4361) utilization of post-harvest management practice, with a Z-value of (3.413) thereby rejecting the null hypothesis. This result indicated that, the traditional was more effective than the modern. The study concluded that traditional post-harvest management practices were more effective, most utilized and most beneficial in the study area compare to the modern. The study recommended that government and technology developers should consolidate on farmers’ indigenous knowledge in developing technology for easy acceptability. Also a processing factory should be built where the tomatoes can be processed into paste in order eliminate seasonality of the product or spoilage.
TABLE
OF CONTENT
Title Page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgments v
Table of Contents vi
List of Tables viii
List of Figures ix
Abstract x
CHAPTER
1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study 1
1.2 Problem
Statement 5
1.3 Research
Questions 7
1.4 Objectives of the Study 8
1.5 Hypotheses
of the Study 8
1.6 Significance
of the Study 9
1.7 Definition of Terms 10
CHAPTER
2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Tomato Production in Nigeria 11
2.2 Importance of Tomato 13
2.3 Post-harvest Management Practices for Tomato 14
2.4 Challenges Confronting the Utilization of
Post-Harvest Management
Practices for Tomato 15
2.5 Theoretical
Framework 16
2.5.1
Modernization theory 17
2.5.2 Theory of reason
action 17
2.5.3 Theory of
planned behavior 18
2.5.4 Diffusion of
innovation theory 19
2.5.4.1 Relative
advantage 21
2.5.4.2
Compatibility 21
2.5.4.3 Complexity 21
2.5.4.4 Triability 21
2.5.4.5 Observability 22
2.6 Review
Empirical Studies 22
2.7 Conceptual
Framework. 24
CHAPTER
3: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Study
Area 27
3.2 Population
of the Study 30
3.3 Sample and Sampling Procedure 30
3.4 Data
Collection 30
3.5 Validation of Instrument 31
3.6 Reliability of Instrument 31
3.7 Measurement of Variables 32
3.8 Data Analysis 34
3.9 Model Specification 35
CHAPTER
4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Socio-economic
Characteristics of Farmers 40
4.2 Post-Harvest
Management Practices of Tomatoes 46
4.3 Sources of Information of Post-Harvest
Management Practices of Tomatoes 47
4.4
Extent of Utilization of Post-Harvest Management Practices of Tomatoes 48
4.5
Costliness of Utilization of Post-Harvest Management Practices of Tomatoes 50
4.6 Effectiveness
of Post-Harvest Management Practices of Tomatoes 51
4.7
Factors Affecting the Use of Post-Harvest Management Practices of Tomatoes
53
4.8
Constraints associated with Post-Harvest Management Practices of Tomatoes in the Study Area. 54
4.9 Hypotheses
Testing 56
CHAPTER
5: SUMMARY, CONCULSION AND RECOMNENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 63
5.2 Conclusion 67
5.3 Recommendations 67
References 68
Appendix 74
LIST OF TABLES
3.1:
Distribution of selected farmers for the study 30
4.1:
Distribution of farmers according to their socio-economic characteristics 41
4.2:
Distribution of the farmers
on the use of post-harvest management practices of tomatoes. 46
4.3:
Distribution of the farmers
according to their sources of information on post-harvest management practices
of tomatoes 47
4.4:
Mean rating of the extent of utilization of post-harvest management practices of tomatoes 48
4.5:
Distribution of the farmers according to perceived costliness of utilization on
post-harvest management practices. 50
4.6:
Mean rating of the effectiveness of post-harvest management practices of tomatoes. 51
4.7: Mean of
farmers’ perceived factors affecting the use of post-harvest management practices of tomatoes 53
4.8:
Distribution of the farmers according to
constraints associated with utilization
of post-harvest management practices of tomatoes 54
4.9:
OLS Regression estimates of the
relationship between selected socio-economic
characteristics of farmers and
extent of utilization of
postharvest management Practices of tomato 56
4.10:
Z-test test of significant difference in the
extent of utilization of post-harvest management practices of
tomatoes 59
4.11: Z-test test of significant
difference in
effectiveness of post-harvest management
practices of tomatoes in the study area 60
4.12: Simple
linear regression analysis of the influence of utilization of post-harvest management
practices of tomatoes has no significant influence on the income in the study area. 61
LIST OF FIGURES
2.1:
S-Curve representing rapid rate of an
innovation over time 20
2.2:
Conceptual framework of utilization of traditional and modern post-harvest
management practices of tomatoes in Benue State, Nigeria. 26
3.1:
Map of Benue State 29
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGRROUND
INFORMATION
Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) is one of the most popular produced and
extensively consumed vegetable crops in the world Grandillo (2015). It can be
eaten raw in salads or as an ingredient in many dishes, and in drinks (Alam,
and Goyal (2017). Tomatoes and tomato-based foods provide a wide variety of
nutrients and many health-related benefits to the body. In regions where it is
being cultivated and consumed, it constitutes a very essential part of people’s
diet. Tomatoes production accounts for about 4.8 million hectares of harvested
land area globally with an estimated production of 162 million tonnes (FAOSTAT,
2014). Tomato production can serve as a source of income for most rural and
peri-urban producers in most developing countries.
Tomato has the tendency of improving the
lives of small-scale rural farmers in most developing countries of the world.
Besides the health benefits derived from tomatoes and tomato-based foods, the
crop can serve as a source of income for farmers as a result of its numerous
uses. The tomato industry can increase the foreign exports earning of many
African countries thereby contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product
(GDP).
In Ghana for instance, the tomato industry has been identified as an area that has the ability for poverty reduction because of its potential
for growth and employment creation Anang
B.T.,Zulkarnain, Z.A. and Yusuf S (2013) whilst in Nigeria, the
production of the crop has improved the livelihood of most rural and peri-urban
farmers (Adenuga, Muhammad-Lawal, and Rotimi, 2013). Tomatoes can be eaten in many ways. Fresh fruits are eaten
in salads and sandwiches as a sauce while dry processed or pasta, preserves,
sauces, soups, juices and beverages (Beckles, 2012).
According to Arah, Amaglo, Kumah, and
Ofori, (2015), tomato contains vitamin B and C, iron and phosphorus. Tomato
fruits are consumed fresh in salads or cooked in sauces, soup and meat or fish
dishes. They can be processed into purees, juices and ketchup. Canned and dried
tomatoes are economically important processed products. Yellow tomatoes have
higher vitamin A content than red tomatoes, but red tomatoes contain lycopene,
an anti-oxidant that may contribute to protection against carcinogenic
substances when consumed of appropriate. On a global scale, the annual production
of fresh tomatoes accounts for approximately 159 million tonnes. However, more
than a quarter of the 159 million tonnes are grown for the processing industry,
which makes tomatoes the world’s leading vegetable for processing. Tomato
production in Pakistan was 530 thousand tones during 2011. The nine largest
producing countries account for 74.2 % of the world’s yearly production 2013
(GDP, 2013).
In view of the nation’s population, and
the level of consumption of the commodity in the country, the Federal
Government of Nigeria was able to develop a new tomato sector policy (Olanite,
2017; Edeh, 2017; AETS Consortium, 2018). The objectives of this sector policy
reform were to enhance import substitution of tomato paste, stimulate
investments in national tomato processing industry and create employment, and
contribute to the reduction of huge post-harvest losses (Edeh, 2017; okojie,
2017).
Post-harvest management is a set of post-production
practices that deal with bulking handling, storage, processing, packaging,
transportation and marketing (FAO, 2011).
The system comprises interconnected activities from the time of harvest
through crop processing, marketing and, food preparation to the final consumers
(Action Centre La Farm (ACF) (2014). These activities eliminate undesirable
elements and improve-product appearance as well as ensure that the product
complies with established quality standards for fresh and processed products.
The post-harvest practices by farmers, traders and processors in Nigeria
consist of traditional techniques, which result in considerable loss of
.harvested crops, thereby contributing to high food prices and food insecurity.
While tomatoes are
cultivated in most states of the country (Nigeria), Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara,
Sokoto, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano lead in the pack in the commercial
production of the crop. Benue State
Government efforts in Agricultural Transformation for the past two decades
concentration on encouraging farmer’s production of tomatoes led to tomatoes
cultivation in all the local government areas of the state (Sahel Capital,
2015). Smallholder farmers planting on between 0.5 and 4 hectares of land
account for 90% of production, with the balance contributed by commercial
producers (Sahel Capital, 2015).
Nigeria has the largest
area harvested for fresh tomato in Africa with 541, 800 Ha followed by Egypt
with 214,016 ha (FAOSTAT, 2014). However, Nigerian farmers on the average
generate the lowest yields for tomatoes in Africa at 4.0 MT/Ha which is significantly
lower than Egypt with 38MT/Ha and South Africa with yields 78.7MT/Ha in 2014
(FAOSTAT, 2014).
Physical handling can
have a drastic effect on the postharvest quality and shelf life of most
harvested tomatoes. For instance, rough handling can cause mechanical injuries
(Arah et al., 2015; Burton and
Reimers, 2011). It is, therefore, important to know suitable post-harvest handling practices needed to maintain the
quality and extend the shelf life of harvested tomatoes. After harvesting, the tomato fruit still
remains living and performs all functions of a living tissue. However, the
postharvest quality of tomato fruits can be enhanced by any post-harvest
treatment practices but can only be maintained (Joas and Lechaudel, 2008;
Getinet, et al, 2011).
Traditional or local
post-harvest management practices includes:
·
Farmers sort and grade in
the field,
·
Bulked in woven baskets
and transported by carts driven by animals,
·
Stored in cooled shades
and floor in preparation for movement to the markets (Isaac et al., 2016).
· They
dried into low moisture content for storage
Modern post-harvest
management practices includes
·
Cleaning/sorting/grading
·
Transportation is by
tricycle, buses or vans in boxes without sharp edges.
·
Storage is usually by
refrigeration which is one of the most effective methods for preserving the
quality of the tomato fruits (Isaac,K.A, Ernest, K.K, Etornam, K.A and Harvison
A (2016).
·
Precooling can be done
after harvest which minimizes the effect of metabolic activity, respiration rate
and ethylene production (Shahi, N.C., Lohani, U.C. 2012, Genanew, 2013). Heat
treatment using hot air is also advocated. This is done at a temperature of
about 37-42oc prior to cold storage as to slow down ripening whilst
increasing pathogenic resistance when in storage (Akbudak, B., Akbudak , N and Sensiz, V. (2017).
· Application
of calcium chloride
Despite the necessity of
post-harvest management practices, tomato farmers are discouraged from their
utilization due to lack of storage facilities, limited access to improved
technologies, limited access /poor market opportunities. Therefore, farmers
grow what they can easily sell or store and new production technologies remain
unused (Adyo, 2017).
1.2
PROBLEM
STATEMENT
Tomato production has
increased globally in recent years due to economic and nutritional importance
of the crop (Isaac et al., 2016; Arah et al., 2015; Tigist, et al,
2013). This increase is made possible by the numerous research advances
made along the entire tomato value chain. Tomato producers have therefore
enjoyed good harvests in recent times, though the good harvest of those from
developing countries like Nigeria do not translate into profit as most are lost
after harvest (Kader, 2005; Alam and Goyal, 2007).
Post-harvest loss is a major
challenge hampering tomatoes production
in most developing countries (Arah, et
al., 2015; FAO, 2008). Tomato being a perishable crop as a result of its
high moisture content has short shelf life of about 48hours (Arah, et al., 2015; Muhammad, Bamisheyi and
Olagemi, 2011). Under tropical conditions specialized post-harvest handling
practices and treatment methods are needed in order to extend the shelf life of
tomatoes after harvest. Failure to utilized Post-harvest Management Practices
will result in high amount of loss. Losses of up to 50% can be recorded in
tomatoes between the harvesting and consumption stages of the distribution
chain in tropical countries (Kader, 2005; Pila, Gol and Rao, 2010).
Over the years, studies
have been conducted on innovation and adoption of new technologies in
developing countries. In addition, other studies have been done on the process
of use and the impact of adopting new technologies on smallholder farmers, socioeconomics
characteristics and production constraints of smallholders tomato production in
the state by Ngbede, Igbegwu, Nwankwo and Okpara (2021), Barnabas Akaazua
(2020) also worked on implications of processing Benue tomatoes, However, the extent of use of post- harvest management
practices in preservation of tomato in Benue State is apparently unknown,
hence, the essence of the study.
Farmers’ decision on the
choice of Post-harvest Management Practices of tomatoes may varies due to number
of reasons. Also, tomatoes farmers’ utilization of Post-harvest Management
Practices is not known in the study and tomatoes farmers post-harvest losses
seem to be higher than twenty years ago. Therefore the study addressed the
following research questions.
1.3
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
This study addressed the
following research questions:
i. What are the socio-economics characteristics of the
farmers?
ii. What are the post-harvest management practices of tomatoes
available in the study area?
iii. What are the sources of information on post-harvest management
practices of tomatoes?
iv. What is the extent of
utilization of post-harvest management practices by tomatoes farmers?
v. What is the cost of utilization of post-harvest management
practices?
vi. How effective is the utilization
of post-harvest management practices in reducing post-harvest losses?
vii. What are the perceived factors influencing the utilization of
post-harvest management practices by tomatoes farmers?
viii. What are the constraints associated with the utilization of
post-harvest management practices among the farmers?
1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE
STUDY
The broad objective of
the study was to analyze the use of post- harvest management practices in preservation of tomato in Benue State.
The specific objectives
of the study were to:
i.
describe the socio-economics characteristics
of the farmers;
ii. identify the post-harvest management practices of tomatoes
available in the study area;
iii. identify the major sources of information on post-harvest management
practices of tomatoes;
iv. ascertain the extent of utilization of post-harvest management
practices of tomatoes;
v. ascertain perceived costliness of utilizing the post-harvest
management practices of tomatoes;
vi. ascertain the effectiveness in utilization of post-harvest
management practices of tomatoes;
vii. ascertain the perceived factors influencing the utilization of post-harvest
management practices by tomatoes farmers and
viii.
identify the
constraints associated with the utilization of post- harvest management
practices by tomatoes farmers.
1.5 HYPOTHESES OF THE STUDY
H01: The socioeconomic characteristics of tomato farmers have no
significant influence on their extent of utilization of post-harvest management practices in the study
area
H02: There is no significant difference in the extent of utilization
of post-harvest management practices of tomatoes.
H03: There is no significant difference in the mean rating of
effectiveness of post-harvest management practices of
tomatoes in the study area.
H04: Utilization of post-harvest management practices of tomatoes has
no significant influence on the income of the farmers in the study area.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The
findings of this study will go a long way in bridging the gap between the traditional
and modern post-harvest management practices of tomato in Benue. It serves as a
source of information to extension expert who will help in teaching farmers the
important of these practices.
Also,
it will provide a source of empirical information for the government, agencies
of government and policy makers in planning and formulating policies, as well
as suggesting solutions to the problems that affect the traditional and modern
post-harvest management practices of tomato. This study will help in
identifying the factors influencing the utilization of traditional and modern
post-harvest management practices of the said crop as well as suggesting a
favorable solution that will guide these practices. This study is also expected
to provide empirical information on the extent of utilization of the
traditional and modern post-harvest management practices as well as the
effectiveness in the use of these practices.
The
findings will also be beneficial to farmers and the rural communities at large in
employing the best post-harvest practices in tomato and finally it will also
add to existing literatures on the farmers’ practices as well as serve as
reference materials for researchers who may wish to carry out similar studies
in the nearest future.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Perishability:
Way in which agricultural products cannot be stored for sale in the future
(Palmer, 2005).
Adoption: Decision
to utilize or incorporate a new practice into existing practices (Ekong, 2010).
Post-harvest Activities:
Farm management practices after harvesting.
Shelf Life: Length
of time that a commodity may be stored without becoming unfit for use,
consumption, or sale (Wikipedia).
Farmer Income: Receipts
from the sale of tomato
Management: making
and implementing of decisions involved in organizing and operating a farm for
maximum profits.
Practice: is a collection
of principles to apply for farm production, processing and marketing in order
to get better agricultural products.
Effectiveness: successful
in producing a desired or intended results.
Modern: is the evolving
approach to agricultural innovations and farming practice that help increase
efficiency.
Traditional: is
the primitive style of farming and production that involves the intensive use
of indigenous knowledge.
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