ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF POST HARVEST LOSSES AMONG LEAFY VEGETABLE MARKETERS

1.1 Introduction

Postharvest loss reduces the food available for consumption and, therefore, has direct impacts on food security, nutrition, and household welfare. Food loss also tightens food markets and increases food prices particularly in the lean season by cutting part of the food supply in the markets (Barret et al., 2017). Post-harvest loss is one of the concerns of food security and global hunger in many countries. The extent of fruit and vegetable loss reaches up to 50.00% (Aysel et al., 2019). Post-harvest losses can be caused by a wide variety of factors, ranging from growing conditions to handling at retail level. Not only are losses clearly a waste of food but they also represent a similar waste of human effort, farm inputs, livelihoods, investments and scarce resources such as water (Kitinoja and Barret, 2015).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Leafy vegetables are considered very important part of human diet not only in developing countries like Nigeria but all over the world. Nigeria, which is the most densely populated country in African continent, is still struggling to achieve self-sufficiency to feed its over 200 million people. Recently, knowledge of post-harvest handling such as improve storage, packaging and handling techniques are practically non-existents with perishable crops and even if they existed, they were not easily accessible by the indigenes in the producing areas, so this allows for considerable losses of produce. Since vegetables can change hands so many times in the post-harvest sector, a high level of management is necessary to ensure that quality is maintained. Each time someone fails to be conscientious in carrying out his or her assigned responsibility, quality is irreversibly sacrificed. Those involved in the handling of vegetable products are the producers, middlemen, marketing specialist and consumers. Appropriate post-harvest handling practices are important to minimize post-harvest losses and to maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables (Aujla et al., 2011).

Estimate of production losses in developing countries are usually very hard to come by. Post harvest losses in vegetable in African countries have been estimated to about 50% of the total production (FAO, 2008). This implies that half of the total production are lost during storage handling and transportation of their produce. Therefore, minimizing these losses to a barest minimum between harvest and consumption, of already produced food is more sustainable than increasing production (Kader and Rolle, 2004).

Farmers are forced to sell their products at give away prices due to absence of adequate storage and marketing facilities. In some cases, the expected income goes to the dustbin. Post harvest losses are caused by mechanical injuries, inadequate storage, unsuitable handling, faulty system of transport and delayed transportation in retail market (CEAGESP, 2002). Green vegetables refer to all leafy vegetables predominantly green in colour which can be eaten boiled or in soups. They have achieved tremendous popularity over the last century among local traders. Besides being tasty, they (green vegetables) promote healthy nutritional balance as they are good sources of vitamin A and C, are low in calories and fats, high in protein per calorie, dietary, fibre, iron and calcium. They have a very short shell life of about 1-2 days. They have high economic value and high consequence of post harvest losses. The socio-economic factors tend to influence households’ vegetable crop production, marketing and are central in decision making with the main objective of meeting their subsistence needs and incomes.

Olubunmi et al. (2017) in their studies of assessment of dry season garden egg production among small-scale holder farmers in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria reported that 100% of the farmers were male, 28.40% had age range of between 26- 36 years, 80.00% were married, 91.70% had Islam as their religion, 31.75 had quaranic education, 47.70% had farming experience between 6-10 years .Similarly, 46.70% had household size of between 6-10 persons, 65% had farm size less than 0.51 ha and 76.60% had farming as their major occupation.

Alao (2000) observed that practically all leafy vegetables such as amaranthus, cabbage, and lettuce among others grown are consumed in Nigeria and production is seasonal resulting in glut during the rainy season and scarcity at off sea- sons. Due to their soft texture, they are easily bruised or wounded as a result of harvesting, and other post-harvest handling operations such as packaging, transportation and storage. In Northern part of Nigeria where production of leafy veg- etables is all year round among those that farm using irrigation system. Despite producing adequate quantities of leafy vegetables, they become inadequate on account of losses and wastages in the field as well as along the value chain before reaching the final consumers.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Economic Analysis of Post Harvest Losses Among Leafy Vegetable Marketers.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that the importance of leafy vegetables in improving the nutritional and economy needs of rural farmers cannot be underestimated. Leafy vegetables are essential part of human diets, but they are perishable by nature. Losses between farms and consumers are common in Nigeria where there is inadequate knowledge; skills, technologies, techniques, and facilities for produce handling and processing. These losses of leafy vegetables and economic opportunities have contributed to poverty, unemployment and malnutrition.

The varied agro-climatic condi- tions prevailing in Nigeria are conducive for the cultivation of leafy vegetables in different stages round the year. Nigeria is a country that is rich in the supply of agricultural products including leafy vegetables but post-harvest losses continue to reduce it impact on the socio- economic life of the rural farmers and to some extent Nigerians thereby creating food insecurity as being witness presently. These leafy vegetables due to their soft texture easily get bruised or wounded as a result of harvesting, and other post-harvest handling operations such as packaging, transportation and storage. In Northern part of Nigeria, despite producing adequate quantities of leafy vegetables, they become inadequate on account of losses in the field as well as in storage.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to estimate the physical losses and corresponding financial value of post harvest losses in green vegetables in Owerri-west Local Government Area in Imo State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To estimate the physical losses of green vegetable during marketing;
2. To identify the causes of the losses during marketing;
3. To determine the financial value of these losses; and
4. To examine the socio-economic characteristics of green vegetable marketers in the study area.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What are the economic implications of these losses?
• Which varieties are more susceptible?
• What are the ways of reducing these losses?
• What are the factors responsible for post harvest losses in green vegetables?

1.6 Significance of Study

The study is of paramount importance as it seeks to ensure reduction in post harvest losses in vegetable which will in turn make sufficient food, both in quantity and quality, available for human consumption. Marketers will also benefit as handling costs is minimized and profit margin increased during agricultural marketing. This study can also serve as a base ground for further research works. Lastly, government and policy makers can as well use the result of this analysis in efficient policy formulation to enhance food sufficiency, sustainability and self reliance.

This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Economic Analysis of Post Harvest Losses among Leafy Vegetable Marketers in Nigeria using Owerri-west Local Government Area in Imo State as a case study.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.9 Definition of Terms

Nutrition: Nutrition is the biochemical and physiological process by which an organism uses food to support its life.

Analysis: Analysis is the process of breaking down a something into its parts to learn what they do and how they relate to one another.

Value: Values are basic and fundamental beliefs that guide or motivate attitudes or actions. They help us to determine what is important to us.