CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS OF FARMERS ON POST HARVEST STORAGE OF TOMATO IN JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the information needs of farmers on post-harvest storage of tomato in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and 120 tomato farmers were interviewed for the purpose of eliciting information through a 4-stage sampling procedure. Majority (75.0%) of the respondents were males (90.0%), married (89.2%), Muslims (95.9%) with Islamic education (50.0%). The respondents’ average (x ): household size is 9 persons, farm size of 1.6ha, monthly income of N30,916.67 and age of 41.6 years. Primary occupation of the majority is farming (96.7%) with mean farming experience of 13 years. Main source of labor is family labor (86.7%). Greater proportions source their funds through personal savings (77.5%). Land ownership is through inheritance (66.7%) and no extension service involvement (97.5%). The most needed information on post-harvest storage is lack of current information, techniques for record keeping and sustainable market (100.0%, x = 3.50), respectively. They were only aware of post-harvest storage like basket cooling (91.7%), sorting and grading (80.8%) and refrigeration storage (59.2%) among others while severe constraints were: lack of capital for post-harvest activities, government policy and infrastructure (99.2%, x = 3.78). The result of the Pearson Correlation showed positive relationship with educational level, household size, average monthly income and farming experience. The research recommended the recruitment of more competent extension officers for more farmers’ contact, structured and focused government policies on tomato post-harvest practices and periodic training of farmers.