Assessment of pineapple waste management among smallholder farmers in Nigeria: Case of the Edo state

B.Sc. Sheriff Segun Akinlade, BSc

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Agricultural or food waste has become a menace in recent times. The improvement in agriculture with seed modification and large-scale production has enhanced food production and has also caused more wastage. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness, waste management practices, and restrictions facing small-scale pineapple farmers in the study area. Surveying 108 smallholder pineapple farmers and processors within Iguobazuwa, village, a region well-known for its pineapple production in Nigeria, was done. The study utilised descriptive statistics, and exploratory factor analysis to explain the tested objectives. The results revealed that in the study area, the male gender is dominant within the pineapple farming sector, with ages ranging from 55-65 years. The main means of pineapple disposal as established by the study is burning and forage feed production, however, the majority of these farmers generate less than 1000kg of pineapple waste annually. The findings also reveal a low level of awareness among farmers about the various uses of pineapple waste, despite the high level of education. Lack of access to extension officers and training on waste management was identified as a major factor contributing to this low level of awareness. The study also identified labour shortage, lack of time, pest and disease attraction, and high costs as the major constraints faced by smallholder farmers in managing pineapple waste. The fruit and crown were identified as the major sources of waste, with less than 1000kg of waste generated annually at every stage of harvest. These findings highlight the need for increased awareness and training on waste management practices and the development of sustainable waste management strategies for smallholder pineapple farmers in the study area.

Keywords

Pineapple waste, Agricultural Waste, Smallholder farmers

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 28. 4. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Ing. Hynek Roubík, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme:
Agri-food Systems and Rural Development