EFFECTS OF POST-HARVEST LOSSES ON INCOME AMONG TOMATO PRODUCERS IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

The study analysed effects of Post-harvest losses on income among fresh tomato producers in six LGAs of Borno State namely; Hawul, Bayo, Konduga, Jere, Monguno and Gubio. A multi stage sampling technique was used to sample 210 producers. The data were collected from primary source with the aid of structured questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The result revealed that the major causes of post-harvest losses were pest and disease 96.7%, poor handling practices 95.7%, inadequate storage facilities 90.5%, time of harvest 81.9%, inadequate transportation facilities 77.6% and varietal characteristics 62.4%. At the producer’s level, the values of losses at harvest and during transportation were significant at P<0.01 while values of losses during packaging and education level were significant at P<0.05. It can be concluded that pest and disease poor handling practices were among the major causes of post-harvest losses and value of loss during harvesting, sorting, packaging, storage and transportation reduces the value of income of the tomato producers. It can be recommended that Government should initiate affordable policies that will improve the traditional harvesting and storage methods coupled with improved management practices. This will help reduce post-harvest losses during harvest as well as make it possible for vegetable farmers to store their farm produce for a longer time. Heat treatment and sanitization should also be given to the farmers in order to reduce post-harvest losses.