Evaluation of Post-Harvest Loss Reduction Strategies Among Fish Farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Fish provides vital protein, income, and jobs in Nigeria; reducing post-harvest losses ensures food security and profitability. The post-harvest loss reduction strategies among fish farmers in Kogi State, Nigeria was examined. Structured questionnaire was administered to 600 respondents in three agricultural zones using multistage random sampling procedure. Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics(T-test) for significant difference. Result showed that majority of the fish farmers were female (65%), aged between 35-44, educated (91.67% ) and married (73%) respectively. Post-harvest losses among fish farmers in Kogi State were predominantly driven by technical and handling-related factors, with lack of cold storage facilities (mean = 3.38), poor hygiene at landing and market points (3.24), and physical damage during handling (3.20) emerging as the most critical contributors. Female farmers consistently reported slightly higher mean values than their male counterparts. Smoking fish to extend shelf life (mean = 3.34) is the most widely adopted strategy followed by sun-drying (3.08), sorting and grading (2.86), and coordinating transport schedules (2.84). Strategies assessed were considered effective (mean values ≥ 2.5) with varied relative effectiveness such that smoking fish (mean = 3.27) emerged as the most effective strategy followed by rapid marketing (3.19), hygienic handling (3.16), ice use during transport (3.03) and value addition (3.00). Fish farmers face significant post-harvest losses mainly from lack of cold storage, poor hygiene and handling issues, with women more vulnerable; smoking is the most effective strategy, while modern methods like insulated storage and value addition remain underutilized.