ANALYSIS OF POSTHARVEST LOSSES IN ONION (Allium cepa L.) AMONG VALUE CHAIN ACTORS IN KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a major vegetable crops cultivated in northern Nigeria, inherently
liable for deterioration in quantity and quality, particularly in tropical conditions. Much
resource is spent in its production with little attention paid to its postharvest losses that may
results in not meeting the supply needs of the population. This study aimed at analyzing the
extent of postharvest losses along the onion value chain in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Multistage and
simple random sampling procedures were used to select 366 respondents from the study area
based on sampling frame to generate primary data using questionnaires and focal group
discussion from ten local government areas and two notable onion markets in Kebbi State. The
data collected were analyzed using Minitab 16 statistical package. Extent of postharvest losses
shows that retailers (2.35kg) and producers (1.4kg) recorded highest and lowest losses per
120kg bag of onion respectively from aggregate of 8.12kg/bag. The result of multiple linear
regressions on factors affecting onion producers’ postharvest losses have negative coefficients
for age, education-level, household-size etc meaning, increase in the variables reduce
postharvest losses. Wholesalers’ coefficients for household-size and business-experience were
negative implying reduction in losses with increase in the variables. Exporters’ coefficients for
age, business-experience and market distance have negative coefficients signifying decrease in
postharvest losses if variables increase. Findings show that postharvest losses are prevalence
to onion marketers and socioeconomic characteristics of the onion actors influence a reduction
in postharvest losses. Therefore, intervention for capacity building on the needs for efficient
postharvest handling technologies by all the onion stakeholders is fundamental.