ANALYSIS OF VEGETABLE MARKETERS ATTITUDE TOWARDS ADOPTION OF SOLAR-POWERED COLD STORAGE TECHNOLOGY IN NORTHEAST, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study analyzed vegetable marketers’ attitude towards adoption of solar powered cold storage technology in Northeast, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 455 vegetable marketers from six vegetable markets in Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe States. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show a mean age of 43 years and a mean household size of 10 persons. Also, a mean marketing experience of 23 years and a mean monthly income of ₦174,516.85. Furthermore, most (97%) of the respondents were males and (98%) of them were married. Also, majority (85%) of the respondents had secondary education and majority of them 93% belong to cooperative society. Most (95%) of the respondents had no access to extension services and (99.2%) of the marketers sourced their capital from cooperative society and (98.7%) of them sourced capital from their personal savings. All (100%) of the marketers stored tomato and green pepper in the cold storage The perception of respondents on the benefits of solar cold storage technology was positive with a mean score ranges between 3.6 - 4.7. The attitude of the respondents towards solar cold storage technology was positive with a mean score ranges between 1.0 - 4.7. The study concluded that vegetable marketers in the study area have positive attitude towards adoption of solar–powered cold storage technology and perceived solar powered cold storage technology as beneficial in reducing post-harvest losses. The study recommends that, Vegetable marketers through their cooperatives should partner with Government and NGOs in conducting seminars, workshops and training sessions to its members in order to educate them about the advantages and benefits of the technology.