Post harvest losses in pineapple production: case study of Ado-odo Otta local government area of Ogun State

Abstract

Decline in food production has been largely traced to post harvest losses for food crops that are more prone to perishability such as pineapple. This paper analyzes the economics of post harvest losses in pineapple production with evidences from Ado-Odo Otta Local Government area of Ogun State. The data for the study were collected from 54 pineapple farmers using Purposive random sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis, budgetary analysis (gross margin) and regression technique. The regression result showed that 74.9 percent variations in the quantity of fruit loss from harvesting to marketing stage were explained by the specified variables. The gross margin analysis showed that losses had a significant impact on the revenue of the farmers. Losses contributed approximately 24 percent reduction in the gross margin of the pineapple farmers. The regression result of the impact of losses on gross margin indicated that losses are significant on gross margin. The causes of losses were identified as the area of land cultivated, transport cost, distance from farm to market, days fruit spend on farm and number of bruised fruits. More efforts at mobilizing extension services, to train the farmers on how to use post harvest technology to reduce losses, is strongly recommended.

Keywords: Post-harvest losses, gross margin, pineapple.

Bowen Journal of Agriculture Vol. 5 (1&2) 2008: pp. 55-062