ABSTRACT:

The study ascertained marketers’ postharvest information needs in plantain in Ondo State, Nigeria, specifically describing the socio-economic attributes of the marketers, examining quantity purchased and lost in on and off seasons, identifying areas where information is needed, and identifying constraints to information needs among the marketers. A multi-stage sampling procedure comprising purposive and simple random sampling was used to select 242 plantain marketers. A structured and duly validated questionnaire was used to elicit quantitative data, while a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide was used to collect qualitative data. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency count, percentages, and mean (x) while a ttest was used to test the hypothesis stated for the study. Some of the results showed that the quantity of plantain purchased was approximately (retailers = 496Kg, wholesalers = 4559Kg). On average, marketers lost approximately (retailers = 282kg, wholesalers = 423kg) of plantain across the different stages of postharvest activities. Consequently, data showed high information needs in selected areas like the use of foam padding along the bottom and appropriate side walls of the truck during transportation for retailers and wholesalers respectively (x) = 2.98 and (x) = 3.14), standardized grading and sorting (x)= 3.68 and (x) = 3.63), de-handing the bunches and transport in a reusable stackable cage (x = 3.92 and x = 3.80). On the constraints, retailers and wholesalers respectively indicated poor knowledge of plantain postharvest handling practices (x = 4.18 and x = 3.18) as most serious. Based on the result of the inferential statistics, there was no statistically significant difference between wholesalers’ and retailers’ information needs. It was concluded that plantain marketers experience huge losses in plantain marketing, resulting in high information needs in several areas of postharvest activities. The study recommends the training of plantain marketers on proper postharvest practices to reduce losses.