Assessing the Storage Potential of Some Vegetable Products in Some Selected Areas in Kano State

Abstract

A total of 112 questionnaires were randomly distributed among fruits and vegetable producers of Gazawa, Garum-mallam and Kura Local Government Areas of Kano State Nigeria. Information were obtained on the farmers storage potential of fruits and vegetables such as stages and time of harvest, harvesting and processing methods, transportation, storage conditions, packaging and storage. The bulk of farmers were made up of fairly young people. Most of the farming operations were done manually with tomato and onions produced majorly. They had highest farm capacity of 5 hectares without specified stage and time of harvest. Products were majorly sold immediately after harvest with poor processing, packaging, transporting and storage systems. Results of the survey was analyzed and presented in percentages. Obviously this project has discovered there is gross inadequacy in harvesting, handling, processing techques,storage structure for vegetable products among the farmers which therefore means low storage knowhow as it was revealed by their response. Conclusively, the farmers lack general knowledge in storage technology, properly due lack of farming experience, therefore these could be responsible for the huge losses of fruits and vegetables in Kano state and the country at large. Intensified enlightenment by concerned bodies like NSPRI, ADP, and KNADA was recommended.