Postharvest management practices by roadside orange sellers in Oyo State, Nigeria

Purpose: This study reported for the first time, the postharvest management practices and estimated lost by roadside orange sellers in Oyo state, Nigeria. Research Method: Multistage sampling procedure was employed to select 120 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data collected for specific objectives were analyzed and presented in frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation while the multiple regression analysis was performed to assess hypothesis of the study. Findings: Results showed that the roadside orange sellers had low level of education as 25.0% had no formal education while 47.5% had primary education. Under tent/umbrella (60.8%) are the main tent used to display oranges long the roadside. High profitability (81.7%) was the leading factors motiving marketing of oranges along the road side. The marketers (95.8%) moderately used postharvest management practices (PHMPs). The orange sellers incurred high loss of oranges up to 14.2% stored. Unfavourable weather condition (x̄=2.12) was the lead constraints to use PHMPs. Multiple linear regression showed that years of experience, average number of orange stocked and age showed significant relationship with the use of PHMPs. Limitations: There was no limitation. Originality/Value: Roadside orange sellers in Oyo state, Nigeria were moderate users (95.8%) of postharvest management practices and incurred 14.2% lost.