Assessment of Post-harvest Losses and Preservation Techniques among Artisanal Fisher-folks in Oyan Dam, Ogun State
Adelodun, O.B. *
Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Nigeria.
Adeosun, O.
Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Nigeria.
Bankole, A.F
Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Nigeria.
Awofodu, B.O
Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study was carried out to assess the post-harvest losses among fisher-folks in Oyan dam. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select Ninety (90) respondents from the fishing communities. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire, and the collected data were subjected to descriptive and multiple regression analysis. The result revealed 53.30% of the fisher-folks were between the age of 40-59years, 80% of the fisherfolks interviewed were married, while 41.11% and 37.78% had primary and no formal education respectively. 64.44% of the fisher-folks had alternative jobs and their average total catch/effort is 30kg. The result also revealed that 48.89% and 35.56 experienced 10-20% and <10% post-harvest losses. Theft (83.33%), weather condition (56.67%) and lack of cold storage facilities (51.11%) were the major factors contributing to postharvest losses in the fishing communities. Furthermore, the regression analysis revealed that gender and experience are statistically significant (p<0.05) with postharvest losses. In conclusion, there’s a need for reduction in the postharvest losses in these fishing communities in order to enhance food security and sustain the environment.
Keywords: Artisanal, fisher-folks, food security, post-harvest losses