POSTHARVEST LOSSES OF TOMATOES AND PUMPKIN: THE WOMEN FARMERS SOCIO-ECONOMIC MIX IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Benue State is the food basket of Nigeria and farmers invest hugely in the cultivation of vegetables, but what usually ensued postharvest is disheartening. A drive through popular markets or farming communities during harvest period is usually site of abandoned heaps of vegetables and spoilt tomatoes. This paper examined the socio-economic factors influencing postharvest losses of tomato and pumpkin among women farmers in Benue State, Nigeria. This paper was guided by utility maximization theory. Survey research design was adopted and the major instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select a sample of 390 tomato and pumpkin vegetable farmers. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, mean score, percentage and regression analysis were used in analyzing data. The findings revealed that 76% variation in postharvest losses is explained by farming experience, education, marital status, income and number of dependants. This informs that socio-economic profile of women farmers have significant influence on postharvest losses in tomato and pumpkin. This paper concluded that there is prevalence of postharvest losses in tomato and pumpkin vegetables among women farmers in Benue State. It recommended among others that women farmers should be availed the opportunity of acquiring more education, especially on agribusiness. This can be done by BERNARD through adult education programme and help enlighten the farmers on best ways to preserve their produce.