ANALYSIS OF FRUIT WASTAGE AMONG FRUIT MARKETERS IN AKURE METROPOLIS, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analyzed the level of food wastage among fruit marketers in Akure metropolis, Ondo State. It ascertained the socio-economic characteristics of fruit marketers, ascertained level of fruit wastage, determined the factors affecting fruit marketers and identified problems encountered in fruit marketing. Fifty fruit sellers were purposively selected from three main markets in Akure metropolis, these are; Oja-Oba market, NEPA market and Isinkan market which makes a total of one hundred and fifty fruit sellers for the study. Data were obtained with the aid of structured questionnaire and subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings shows that 50% of fruit marketers were between 20-30 years with mean of 28.6 years, 76% had between 2-4 persons as household Size with mean of 3.90, 32% had above ₦58,000 as monthly Income with a mean monthly Income of ₦24,366.67, 44% had between 5-10 years with mean marketing experience of 6.9, 52% were females, 62% were married, 50% had tertiary education, 40% recorded fruit wastage weekly and the level of fruit wastage is high (82%). Banana/Plantain ranked 1st in degree of wastage with mean score of 1.32 and Pineapple 2nd with mean score of 1.3, Fruit marketers were faced with problems of seasonality, storage facilities and high transport cost (40%). Chi-Square result showed that Marital status (χ2=27.160), Household Size (χ2=20.000) and Highest level of Education (χ2=26.320) were significant with the level of fruit wastage. The study concluded that fruit wastage could impair food security if not nipped in the bud especially among fruit marketers.

Keywords

• Food Security,
• Fruit Marketers,y
• Fruit Wastage,
• Household Food Securit

References

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