Effects and Control of Postharvest Losses of Selected Horticultural Crops Produce Among Rural Farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

This study examines the effects and control of post-harvest losses incurred by rural farmers in the production of selected horticultural crops namely tomato, mango, pepper and cashew in Benue State was carried out. Two hundred (200) rural farmers were sampled from the here agricultural zones of Benue State. The major effects of post-harvest losses were reduced income (33%) and quality of produce (31%), lack of good storage facilities (45%), poor packaging (45%) and poor transportation network (28%) were the major causes of post-harvest losses, Managerial, infrastructural cum environmental and socioeconomic were he here major constraints to control of post-harvest losses in Benue State. About 116,100kg of crop produce worth N11,250,000 were lost by farmers in the study area during the period under review. The researcher recommends adequate education and sensitization of farmers in handling and preservation of horticultural crops and setting up of plants for processing and preservation of horticultural crops as measures that could be taken in controlling post-harvest losses in Benue State