IMPACT OF TRADERS KNOWLEDGE AND HANDLING PRACTICES ON CARROTS (Daucus carota L.) SHELF-LIFE IN NSUKKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ENUGU STATE

Post-harvest losses due to poor post-harvest handling practices are a huge threat to food security. This survey determined the post-harvest handling knowledge and activities of traders on shelf-life of carrot roots in Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA), Enugu State. Simple Structured Questionnaire was administered to ninety respondents selected from six markets in six communities in Nsukka LGA. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 17.0 edition. Higher proportion of the respondents had West African Examination Certificate (51%), 39% had First School Leaving Certificate, 9% had Bachelors of Science, while 1% had no formal education. However, 61% of the respondents had trading experience between 0-10 years, while 30% and 9% had trading experience of 11-20 years and ≥ 21 years respectively. Majority of the respondents (46%) had their business located at the carrot line in the market, 32% had their business located at the road side while 22% operated their business outside the carrot line in the market. The overall mean score of 2.68 ± 0.80 and 2.36 ± 0.77 showed that traders post-harvest handling knowledge and post-harvest handling activities on shelf-life of carrot were moderate and low respectively. The traders’ educational qualification and trading experience had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on their post-harvest handling knowledge and activities on shelf-life of carrots. Carrot traders had poor knowledge of causes of loss, which reflected in their handling practices. Adequate training in post-harvest technology should be given to carrot roots traders in Nsukka LGA to minimize loss and enhance food security