This study examined the economic analysis of tomato spoilage in selected markets of Ondo State. The study was carried out in Akure South, Akure North, Owo and Ondo West Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ondo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of this study were to: describe the socioeconomic characteristics of tomato marketers in the selected markets, identify factors that cause tomato spoilage, examine the methods used by tomato marketers in minimizing tomato spoilage, and estimate the amount of loss due to spoilage in the selected markets. A total of eighty (80) respondents were selected for the study through the use of multistage sampling procedure. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and formulae for calculating losses associated with spoilage.
The study shows that 35% of the marketers were male and 65% were female, the largest percentage (27.5) of the marketers fell in age group 30-39 and 40-49 years. About 53.75% of the marketers source their capital through personal savings. Only 16.25% of the marketers were illiterate while the remaining 83.75% attended at least primary school and this made little arithmetic to be easily done. The main cause of tomato spoilage was attributed to impact damage (especially collision during transportation due to bad roads) as seventy seven (77) of the marketers affirm this. The main spoilage reduction method adopted by the marketers was proper sorting of the tomato, seventy six (76) of the marketers affirm this. The average loss due to spoilage was estimated as follows; Percentage loss was 16.05%, Quantitative loss was 22.24Kg and Economic loss was N2,396.04. The main problem encountered by the marketers was loss. Therefore, a lot of tomatoes were lost to spoilage due to impact damage and hence it is recommended to reduce spoilage level by establishing tomato processing industries in Ondo State.
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Information of the Study
1.2 Relevance of Economic Analysis of Tomato Spoilage
1.3 Problem Statement
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Objectives of the Study
1.6 Justification for the Study
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Theoretical Framework
2.1.1 Tomato Spoilage
2.2 Empirical Literature Review
2.2.1 General Characteristics of Tomato Markets in Africa and Nigeria
2.2.2 Reduction in Market Price of Tomato
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Study Area
3.2 Data Sources
3.3 Sampling Technique
3.4 Analytical Technique and Model Specification
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Socio-economic Characteristics of Respondents (Tomato Marketers)
4.1.1 Distribution of Respondents According to Age
4.1.2: Distribution of Respondents According to Sex
4.1.3: Distribution of Respondents According to Marital Status
4.1.4: Distribution of Respondents According to Household Size
4.1.5: Distribution of Respondents According to Religion
4.1.6: Distribution of Respondents According to Educational Level
4.1.7: Distribution of Respondents According to Years of Marketing Experience
4.1.8: Distribution of Respondents According to Source of Capital
4.2 Causes of Tomato Spoilage
4.3 Reduction Strategy of Tomato Spoilage
4.4 Losses Associated with Tomato Marketing in the Selected Markets
4.4.1: Percentage Loss (PL) in the Selected Markets
4.4.2: Quantitative Loss (QL) in the Selected Markets
4.4.3: Economic Loss (EL) in the selected Markets
4.5 Problems of Tomato Marketing
4.6 Selling price of Fresh Tomato Purchased (in Basket)
4.7 Selling Price per Unit of Fresh Tomato Purchased
4.8 Selling Price per Unit of Spoilt Tomato (ESHA) in the selected Markets
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
Objectives and Research Themes
This study aims to perform an economic analysis of tomato spoilage within selected markets in Ondo State, Nigeria. The central research objective is to investigate the socioeconomic profiles of tomato marketers, identify the primary drivers of produce spoilage, evaluate the current mitigation techniques employed by marketers, and quantify the resulting financial and physical losses to inform policy development.
- Socioeconomic profiling of tomato marketers in Ondo State.
- Identification of critical factors causing tomato spoilage, specifically focusing on transportation and handling.
- Evaluation of current market-level spoilage reduction and mitigation strategies.
- Quantitative and economic estimation of post-harvest losses.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.1 Tomato Spoilage
Tomato spoilage is caused by many factors. According to Kasmire and Kader (1978), high temperature due to climate change has really affected the rate of ripening of tomato fruits. Tomato temperature management is one of the most vital factors in determining the success and failure of tomato marketing (Abdelmageed, Gruda and Geyer, 2003). The management in this context starts from the time the commodity enters the market and continues until it reaches the final consumer. Too warm temperature results to abnormal fruit ripening. According to Idah et al., (2007), rapid deterioration of tomato fruits occurs and results to heavy loss especially at wholesale and retail level. “Tomatoes destined for distant markets or tomatoes in the pink or light red stage should be cooled as soon as possible after harvest to avoid becoming overripe before reaching the consumer. Proper temperature control is critical to product quality and shelf life.” (NGMC and NARI, 2003).
Improper handling of tomato fruit also increases the rate of spoilage. Damage to tomatoes by rough handling throughout the marketing system is one of the major causes of loss, damaged tomatoes are prone to decay and water loss and general deterioration is increased. The physical damage is usually as a result of deep cut, puncture, split and crush. (Kasmire and Kader, (1978). Mechanical injuries that occur during harvesting and handling are good sites for entry of pathogens that cause decay in fruits (Jerry et al., 2005) even before entering the market.
Good personal hygiene of the marketers who prepare and sell tomato reduce spoilage rate. With the report presented by the Anglican Diocese of Tasmania (CSE2-RF, 2009) on safe food handling, good hygiene is extremely important to food handling. The bacteria that cause food spoilage/poisoning can easily be transmitted from the marketers’ hands and body-wears while handling the fruit, so it is important that everyone that handles vegetable such as tomato has a high level of personal hygiene. Hands, clothes, hair, other body parts and including jewellery can contain and spread bacteria to food. Another important aspect is the health condition of tomato handlers (the marketers). Marketers with ill health and those with wounds like cuts and scratches can spread disease unconsciously by handling.
Summary of Chapters
1.0 INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the importance of tomatoes in the Nigerian food economy and outlines the significant problem of post-harvest losses due to poor handling, storage, and transport.
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW: This section provides a theoretical framework for agricultural marketing and reviews existing literature on factors contributing to tomato spoilage, including biological, physical, and environmental impacts.
3.0 METHODOLOGY: This chapter details the research design, explaining that a multistage sampling procedure was used to select 80 respondents across four LGAs in Ondo State for primary data collection via questionnaires.
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This section presents the empirical findings regarding the socioeconomic characteristics of the marketers and calculates the percentage, quantitative, and economic losses incurred in the selected markets.
5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: This final chapter synthesizes the research findings, concludes that impact damage from poor infrastructure is the primary cause of loss, and offers policy recommendations, such as investing in processing facilities and standardizing measurement practices.
Keywords
Tomato Spoilage, Ondo State, Economic Analysis, Post-Harvest Losses, Agricultural Marketing, Impact Damage, Socioeconomic Characteristics, Food Security, Quantitative Loss, Small-scale Marketers, Nigeria, Market Infrastructure, Spoilage Mitigation, Supply Chain, Perishable Commodities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the economic analysis of tomato spoilage in selected markets within Ondo State, Nigeria, evaluating how post-harvest losses affect the profitability of local marketers.
What are the primary themes discussed in this study?
The study covers the socioeconomic characteristics of tomato marketers, the biological and physical causes of spoilage, current reduction strategies used by traders, and the quantification of financial losses.
What is the central research objective?
The primary objective is to estimate the specific economic and quantitative losses associated with tomato spoilage and to identify effective minimization methods that can be implemented at the market level.
What research methodology was employed?
The researcher utilized a descriptive statistics approach, employing primary data collected through structured questionnaires from 80 respondents selected via a multistage sampling procedure across four LGAs.
What is the primary content of the main body?
The main body (Chapters 2-4) explores the theoretical framework of agricultural marketing, details the study area and data collection methods, and provides a thorough analysis of findings related to demographic factors and loss metrics.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as tomato spoilage, post-harvest loss, Ondo State, agricultural marketing, impact damage, and economic analysis.
Why are tomato losses so high in the studied regions?
The study identifies impact damage caused by poor road networks and inadequate transportation facilities as the leading factor for tomato degradation during transit.
What is the "ESHA" mentioned in the text?
"ESHA" is the local term used in the studied markets to refer to deformed or damaged tomatoes, which significantly lower in market value compared to fresh produce.
What recommendation does the author give to policymakers?
The author recommends that the government and private entities invest in tomato processing industries to convert perishable raw tomatoes into storable paste during periods of high abundance.
- Citation du texte
- Bachelor's Degree Akinsola Fape (Auteur), 2017, Economic Analysis of Tomato Spoilage in Selected Markets of Ondo State, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/920689
