Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Postharvest Losses in Onion: Causes and Determinants

Year 2023, Volume: 26 Issue: 2, 346 - 354, 30.04.2023

Abraham Falola , Ridwan Mukaila , Robert Omotayo Uddın Iı , Charles Oladele Ajewole , Wakilat Gbadebo

https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1091225
Cited By: 3

Abstract

Reducing post-harvest losses is a reasonable step towards food security globally. However, the lack of deep knowledge of the causes and determinants of postharvest loss poses a great challenge to strategies for alleviating postharvest loss. This study, therefore, identifies the causes and drivers of postharvest losses in onion, in Nigeria, to alleviate the menace. Data collected from 360 farmers between February and April 2021 were analyzed with descriptive statistics and a multiple regression model. Results showed that the primary causes of postharvest loss were rot, diseases and pests, drying, and bruises. While, poor storage facilities, poor transportation systems, long distances to marketing centers, poor agricultural extension services, and inadequate credit were secondary causes. The driving factors of postharvest losses in onion were extension services (β = -0.1269, p < .05), access to credit (β = -0.1054, p < .05), household size (β = -0.2650, p < .01), age of the farmer (β = 0.0557, p < .05), level of education (β = -1.0500, p < .01), farm size (β = 0.3801, p < .01), distance to market (β = 0.2187, p < .05), output (β = 0.1180, p < .01), and length of storage after harvest (β = 0.0635, p < .05). These findings call for improved transportation systems in agrarian areas, overhauling of extension services, making credit facilities available to farmers at affordable interest rates, and developing efficient post-harvest management technologies by research institutes.

Keywords

Onion Postharvest loss Causes Determinants Food security

References

  • Achoja, FO., & Obadaya, O (2019). Backyard orchard ownership: implications for rural poverty alleviation and food security management In Nigeria. KSU J. Agric. Nat. 22 (Suppl 2), 456-464. DOI: 10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.546913.
  • Affognon, H., Mutungi, C., Sanginga, P., & Borgemeister, C (2015). Unpacking postharvest losses in sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis. World Development, 66, 49–68. https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.worlddev.2014.08.002.
  • Ağır, HB., & Akbay C (2022). Impact of contract farming on beef cattle farmers' income: a propensity score matching analysis. KSU J. Agric. Nat. 25 (2), 392-399. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.896094.
  • Aidoo, R., Danfoku, RA., & Mensah, JO (2014). Determinants of postharvest losses in tomato production in the Offinso North District of Ghana. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 6(8), 338-344.
  • Akanbi, OS., Oloruntola, DS., Olatunji, SD., & Mukaila, R (2020). Economic analysis of poultry egg production in Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Economics and Allied Research, 4(3), 57–71.
  • Bektaş, İ., & Küsek, M (2021). The isolation and characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from the onion rhizosphere and their effect on onion growth. KSU J. Agric. Nat. 24 (5), 1084-1092. DOI: 10.18016/ ksutarimdoga.vi.811324.
  • Calica, GB., & Cabanayan, ZL 2018. Assessment of the postharvest systems and losses of bulb onions in Nueva Ecilja, Philippines Asian Journal of Postharvest Mechanization, 1(1), 59-69.
  • Delgado ,L., Schuster, M., & Torero, M 2021. Quantity and quality food losses across the value Chain: A Comparative analysis. Food Policy, 98, 1-16.
  • Emana, B., Afari-Sefa, V., Kebede, D., Nenguwo, N., Ayana, A., & Mohammed, H (2017). Assessment of postharvest losses and marketing of onion in Ethiopia. International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 5(4), 300–319. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPTI.2017.10013750.
  • Falola, A., & Achem, BA (2017). Perceptions on climate change and adaptation strategies among sweet potato farming households in Kwara State, Northcentral Nigeria. Ceylon Journal of Science, 46(3),55-63.https://doi.org/10.4038/CJS.V46I3.7443
  • Falola, A., Achem, BA., Oloyede, W., & Olawuyi, GO (2017). Determinants of commercial production of wheat in Nigeria: A case study of Bakura Local Government Area, Zamfara State. Trakia Journal of Sciences, 15(4), 397-404. https://doi.org/ 10.15547/tjs.2017.04.024.
  • Falola, A., Mukaila, R., & Abdulhamid, KO (2022). Informal finance: its drivers and contributions to farm investment among rural farmers in Northcentral Nigeria. Agricultural Finance Review, https://doi.org/10.1108/AFR-08-2021-0116.
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (2011). Global food losses and food waste: Extent, causes, and prevention. Italy: Rome.
  • Gbigbi TM (2021). The nexus between pilfering menace and crop farmers’ income shock: Evidence from Nigeria. KSU J. Agric. Nat. 24 (1), 200-211. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.700483.
  • Girei, AA., Saingbe, ND., Ohen, SB., & Gimba, EA (2016). Youth involvement in agricultural production in Obi Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 1(4), 1016-1023.https://doi.org/10.22161/IJEAB2F1.4.54.
  • Gorrepati, K., Murkute, AA., Bhagat, Y., & Gopal, J (2018). Post-harvest losses in different varieties of onion. Indian Journal of Horticulture, 75(2), 314-318. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-0112.2018.00052x
  • Günaçtı, H., & Ay, T. (2021). Forecasting of potato late blight disease using alternative sets of meteorological data and disease epidemiology. KSU J. Agric. Nat. 24 (6), 1213-1220. DOI: 10.18016/ ksutarimdoga.vi.863578.
  • Ji SH, Kim,, TK, Keum YS., & Chun, S (2018). The Major Postharvest Disease of Onion and Its Control with Thymol Fumigation During Low-Temperature Storage. Mycobiology, 46(3), 242–253. https:// doi.org/10.1080/12298093.2018.1505245
  • Kikulwe, EM., Okurut, S., Ajambo, S., Nowakunda, K., Stoian, D, & Naziri, D (2018). Postharvest losses and their determinants: A challenge to creating a sustainable cooking banana value chain in Uganda. Sustainability, 10, 2381.
  • Kulwijila, M (2021). Socio-economic determinants of post-harvest losses in the grape value chain in Dodoma Municipality and Chamwino District, Tanzania. African Journal of Economic Review, 9(2), 288-305.
  • Kumar, D., & Kalita, P (2017). Reducing postharvest losses during the storage of grain crops to strengthen food security in developing countries. Foods, 6(8), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods 6010008.
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2021). Food Loss in Nigeria. Value Chain Analysis (VCA) of Tomato, Onion, Chilli value chains. Retrieved on February, 11, 2022 from https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/ files/2021/02/Report-Food-Loss-in-Nigeria.pdf.
  • Mlambo, S., Mvumi, BM., Stathers, TE., Mubayiwa, M., & Nyabako, T (2017). Field efficacy of hermetic and other maize grain storage options under smallholder farm management. Crop Protection, 98, 198–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CROPRO. 2017. 04.001.
  • Mukaila, R., Falola, A., & Egwue, LO (2021). Income diversification and drivers of rural smallholder farmers’ income in Enugu State, Nigeria. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development, 21(3), 585-592.
  • Mukaila, R., Falola, A., & Omotesho, OA (2020). Food security status: its drivers and coping strategies among vegetable farming households. Cercetări Agronomice in Moldova, 53(4), 414–425. https:// doi.org/10.46909/cerce-2020-035.
  • Nasri, S., Anoush. M., & Khatami, N (2012). Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of fresh onion juice in experimental animals. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 6(23), 1679-1684.
  • Ng’ang’a, J., Mutungi, C., Imathiu, SM., & Affognon, H (2016). Low permeability triple-layer plastic bags prevent losses of maize caused by insects in rural on-farm stores. Food Security, 8, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-016-0567-9.
  • Nicastro, R., Carillo, P 2021. Food loss and waste prevention strategies from farm to fork. Sustainability, 13, 5443. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su13105443.
  • Obayelu, OA., Adegboyega, OM., Sowunmi, FA., & Idiaye, CO (2021). Factors explaining postharvest loss of hot pepper under tropical conditions. International Journal of Vegetable Sciences, 27(6), 526-535. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2021. 1879342.
  • Prusky, D (2011). Reduction of the incidence of postharvest quality losses, and future prospects. Food Security, 3(4), 463–474. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s12571-011-0147-y. Sharma, S (2016). Economic analysis of postharvest losses in onion in Jodhpur District of Rajasthan. International Journal of Research in Business Management, 4(3), 2347-4572. https://doi.org/10. 15740/HAS%2FIJCBM%2F11.1%2F19s-23.
  • Sheahan, M., & Barrett, CB (2017). Review: Food loss and waste in sub-Saharan Africa. Food Policy, 70, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2017.03.012.
  • Shee, A., Mayanja, S., Simba, E., Stathers, T., Bechoff, A., & Bennett, B (2019). Determinants of postharvest losses along smallholder producers’ maize and sweet potato value chains: An ordered Probit analysis. Food Security 11, 1101–1120. https://doi.org/10. 1007/ s12571-019-00949-4.
  • Slimestad, R., Fossen, T., & Vågen, IM (2007). Onions: a source of unique dietary flavonoids. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 55(25), 10067-10080.
  • Tesfaye, W., & Tirivayi, N (2018). The impacts of postharvest storage innovations on food security and welfare in Ethiopia. Food Policy, 75, 52–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.01.004.
  • Tolouee, M., Alinezhad, S., Saberi, R., Eslamifar, A., Zad, SJ., Jaimand, K., Taeb, J., Rezaee, M., Kawachi, M., Shams-Ghahfarokhi, M., & Razzaghi-Abyaneh M (2010). Effect of Matricaria chamomilla L. flower essential oil on the growth and ultra-structure of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem. Int J Food Microbiol. 139, 127–133. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2010.03.032
  • Wikipedia n.d. (2022). Kaduna State. Retrieved in August, 11, 2022 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Kaduna_State

Postharvest Losses in Onion: Causes and Determinants

Year 2023, Volume: 26 Issue: 2, 346 - 354, 30.04.2023

Abraham Falola , Ridwan Mukaila , Robert Omotayo Uddın Iı , Charles Oladele Ajewole , Wakilat Gbadebo

https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1091225
Cited By: 3

Abstract

Reducing post-harvest losses is a reasonable step towards food security globally. However, the lack of deep knowledge of the causes and determinants of postharvest loss poses a great challenge to strategies for alleviating postharvest loss. This study, therefore, identifies the causes and drivers of postharvest losses in onion, in Nigeria, to alleviate the menace. Data collected from 360 farmers between February and April 2021 were analyzed with descriptive statistics and a multiple regression model. Results showed that the primary causes of postharvest loss were rot, diseases and pests, drying, and bruises. While, poor storage facilities, poor transportation systems, long distances to marketing centers, poor agricultural extension services, and inadequate credit were secondary causes. The driving factors of postharvest losses in onion were extension services (β = -0.1269, p < .05), access to credit (β = -0.1054, p < .05), household size (β = -0.2650, p < .01), age of the farmer (β = 0.0557, p < .05), level of education (β = -1.0500, p < .01), farm size (β = 0.3801, p < .01), distance to market (β = 0.2187, p < .05), output (β = 0.1180, p < .01), and length of storage after harvest (β = 0.0635, p < .05). These findings call for improved transportation systems in agrarian areas, overhauling of extension services, making credit facilities available to farmers at affordable interest rates, and developing efficient post-harvest management technologies by research institutes.

Keywords

Onion Post-harvest loss Causes Determinants Food security

References

  • Achoja, FO., & Obadaya, O (2019). Backyard orchard ownership: implications for rural poverty alleviation and food security management In Nigeria. KSU J. Agric. Nat. 22 (Suppl 2), 456-464. DOI: 10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.546913.
  • Affognon, H., Mutungi, C., Sanginga, P., & Borgemeister, C (2015). Unpacking postharvest losses in sub-Saharan Africa: A meta-analysis. World Development, 66, 49–68. https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.worlddev.2014.08.002.
  • Ağır, HB., & Akbay C (2022). Impact of contract farming on beef cattle farmers' income: a propensity score matching analysis. KSU J. Agric. Nat. 25 (2), 392-399. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.896094.
  • Aidoo, R., Danfoku, RA., & Mensah, JO (2014). Determinants of postharvest losses in tomato production in the Offinso North District of Ghana. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 6(8), 338-344.
  • Akanbi, OS., Oloruntola, DS., Olatunji, SD., & Mukaila, R (2020). Economic analysis of poultry egg production in Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Economics and Allied Research, 4(3), 57–71.
  • Bektaş, İ., & Küsek, M (2021). The isolation and characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from the onion rhizosphere and their effect on onion growth. KSU J. Agric. Nat. 24 (5), 1084-1092. DOI: 10.18016/ ksutarimdoga.vi.811324.
  • Calica, GB., & Cabanayan, ZL 2018. Assessment of the postharvest systems and losses of bulb onions in Nueva Ecilja, Philippines Asian Journal of Postharvest Mechanization, 1(1), 59-69.
  • Delgado ,L., Schuster, M., & Torero, M 2021. Quantity and quality food losses across the value Chain: A Comparative analysis. Food Policy, 98, 1-16.
  • Emana, B., Afari-Sefa, V., Kebede, D., Nenguwo, N., Ayana, A., & Mohammed, H (2017). Assessment of postharvest losses and marketing of onion in Ethiopia. International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 5(4), 300–319. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPTI.2017.10013750.
  • Falola, A., & Achem, BA (2017). Perceptions on climate change and adaptation strategies among sweet potato farming households in Kwara State, Northcentral Nigeria. Ceylon Journal of Science, 46(3),55-63.https://doi.org/10.4038/CJS.V46I3.7443
  • Falola, A., Achem, BA., Oloyede, W., & Olawuyi, GO (2017). Determinants of commercial production of wheat in Nigeria: A case study of Bakura Local Government Area, Zamfara State. Trakia Journal of Sciences, 15(4), 397-404. https://doi.org/ 10.15547/tjs.2017.04.024.
  • Falola, A., Mukaila, R., & Abdulhamid, KO (2022). Informal finance: its drivers and contributions to farm investment among rural farmers in Northcentral Nigeria. Agricultural Finance Review, https://doi.org/10.1108/AFR-08-2021-0116.
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (2011). Global food losses and food waste: Extent, causes, and prevention. Italy: Rome.
  • Gbigbi TM (2021). The nexus between pilfering menace and crop farmers’ income shock: Evidence from Nigeria. KSU J. Agric. Nat. 24 (1), 200-211. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.700483.
  • Girei, AA., Saingbe, ND., Ohen, SB., & Gimba, EA (2016). Youth involvement in agricultural production in Obi Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 1(4), 1016-1023.https://doi.org/10.22161/IJEAB2F1.4.54.
  • Gorrepati, K., Murkute, AA., Bhagat, Y., & Gopal, J (2018). Post-harvest losses in different varieties of onion. Indian Journal of Horticulture, 75(2), 314-318. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-0112.2018.00052x
  • Günaçtı, H., & Ay, T. (2021). Forecasting of potato late blight disease using alternative sets of meteorological data and disease epidemiology. KSU J. Agric. Nat. 24 (6), 1213-1220. DOI: 10.18016/ ksutarimdoga.vi.863578.
  • Ji SH, Kim,, TK, Keum YS., & Chun, S (2018). The Major Postharvest Disease of Onion and Its Control with Thymol Fumigation During Low-Temperature Storage. Mycobiology, 46(3), 242–253. https:// doi.org/10.1080/12298093.2018.1505245
  • Kikulwe, EM., Okurut, S., Ajambo, S., Nowakunda, K., Stoian, D, & Naziri, D (2018). Postharvest losses and their determinants: A challenge to creating a sustainable cooking banana value chain in Uganda. Sustainability, 10, 2381.
  • Kulwijila, M (2021). Socio-economic determinants of post-harvest losses in the grape value chain in Dodoma Municipality and Chamwino District, Tanzania. African Journal of Economic Review, 9(2), 288-305.
  • Kumar, D., & Kalita, P (2017). Reducing postharvest losses during the storage of grain crops to strengthen food security in developing countries. Foods, 6(8), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods 6010008.
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2021). Food Loss in Nigeria. Value Chain Analysis (VCA) of Tomato, Onion, Chilli value chains. Retrieved on February, 11, 2022 from https://www.rvo.nl/sites/default/ files/2021/02/Report-Food-Loss-in-Nigeria.pdf.
  • Mlambo, S., Mvumi, BM., Stathers, TE., Mubayiwa, M., & Nyabako, T (2017). Field efficacy of hermetic and other maize grain storage options under smallholder farm management. Crop Protection, 98, 198–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CROPRO. 2017. 04.001.
  • Mukaila, R., Falola, A., & Egwue, LO (2021). Income diversification and drivers of rural smallholder farmers’ income in Enugu State, Nigeria. Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development, 21(3), 585-592.
  • Mukaila, R., Falola, A., & Omotesho, OA (2020). Food security status: its drivers and coping strategies among vegetable farming households. Cercetări Agronomice in Moldova, 53(4), 414–425. https:// doi.org/10.46909/cerce-2020-035.
  • Nasri, S., Anoush. M., & Khatami, N (2012). Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of fresh onion juice in experimental animals. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 6(23), 1679-1684.
  • Ng’ang’a, J., Mutungi, C., Imathiu, SM., & Affognon, H (2016). Low permeability triple-layer plastic bags prevent losses of maize caused by insects in rural on-farm stores. Food Security, 8, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-016-0567-9.
  • Nicastro, R., Carillo, P 2021. Food loss and waste prevention strategies from farm to fork. Sustainability, 13, 5443. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su13105443.
  • Obayelu, OA., Adegboyega, OM., Sowunmi, FA., & Idiaye, CO (2021). Factors explaining postharvest loss of hot pepper under tropical conditions. International Journal of Vegetable Sciences, 27(6), 526-535. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2021. 1879342.
  • Prusky, D (2011). Reduction of the incidence of postharvest quality losses, and future prospects. Food Security, 3(4), 463–474. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s12571-011-0147-y. Sharma, S (2016). Economic analysis of postharvest losses in onion in Jodhpur District of Rajasthan. International Journal of Research in Business Management, 4(3), 2347-4572. https://doi.org/10. 15740/HAS%2FIJCBM%2F11.1%2F19s-23.
  • Sheahan, M., & Barrett, CB (2017). Review: Food loss and waste in sub-Saharan Africa. Food Policy, 70, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2017.03.012.
  • Shee, A., Mayanja, S., Simba, E., Stathers, T., Bechoff, A., & Bennett, B (2019). Determinants of postharvest losses along smallholder producers’ maize and sweet potato value chains: An ordered Probit analysis. Food Security 11, 1101–1120. https://doi.org/10. 1007/ s12571-019-00949-4.
  • Slimestad, R., Fossen, T., & Vågen, IM (2007). Onions: a source of unique dietary flavonoids. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 55(25), 10067-10080.
  • Tesfaye, W., & Tirivayi, N (2018). The impacts of postharvest storage innovations on food security and welfare in Ethiopia. Food Policy, 75, 52–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.01.004.
  • Tolouee, M., Alinezhad, S., Saberi, R., Eslamifar, A., Zad, SJ., Jaimand, K., Taeb, J., Rezaee, M., Kawachi, M., Shams-Ghahfarokhi, M., & Razzaghi-Abyaneh M (2010). Effect of Matricaria chamomilla L. flower essential oil on the growth and ultra-structure of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem. Int J Food Microbiol. 139, 127–133. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2010.03.032
  • Wikipedia n.d. (2022). Kaduna State. Retrieved in August, 11, 2022 from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ Kaduna_State
There are 36 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
Journal Section RESEARCH ARTICLE
Authors

Abraham Falola 0000-0002-5265-9355

Ridwan Mukaila 0000-0001-8584-0858

Robert Omotayo Uddın Iı 0000-0003-4333-0811

Charles Oladele Ajewole 0000-0003-1756-6759

Wakilat Gbadebo 0000-0001-9932-2701

Publication Date April 30, 2023
Submission Date March 22, 2022
Acceptance Date September 29, 2022
Published in Issue Year 2023Volume: 26 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Falola, A., Mukaila, R., Uddın Iı, R. O., Ajewole, C. O., et al. (2023). Postharvest Losses in Onion: Causes and Determinants. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım Ve Doğa Dergisi, 26(2), 346-354. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1091225

Cited By

Minimization of losses in postharvest of fresh produce supply chain
Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies
https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-04-2024-0139
An update on post-harvest losses of onion and employed strategies for remedy
Scientia Horticulturae
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2024.113794
The rise and fall of onion production; its multiple constraints on pre-harvest and post-harvest management issues along the supply chain in northwest Ethiopia
Heliyon
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15905
 Download Cover Image


International Peer Reviewed Journal
Free submission and publication
Published 6 times a year



88x31.png


KSU Journal of Agriculture and Nature

e-ISSN: 2619-9149