Postharvest packaging and marketing innovation adoption in Nigeria: The case of plastic crate

Postharvest loss of horticultural crops is high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where smallholder farmers play a critical role in production (Jarman et al., 2023). Most losses happen during the production and postharvest handling stages, accounting for 38% and 34% of the total losses, respectively (Luo et al., 2021). The significant amounts of food loss are worrisome, particularly given the extent of poverty and food insecurity in SSA (Aragie, 2021). Reducing postharvest losses (PHL) is a key pathway to food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) (Affognon et al., 2015). Food losses in SSA are influenced by insufficient infrastructure and technology for postharvest handling and storage, limited access to markets and coordinated logistics, and poor knowledge and skills in food handling and preservation techniques (Yamauchi & Takeshima, 2023; Rutta, 2022). The Green Revolution, intended to boost food production with modern farming methods, has unintentionally led to challenges in food distribution. Food losses grow due to longer supply chains and higher consumer incomes, resulting in greater food consumption away from home. Feeding Africa's growing urban population of 472 million is becoming daunting with the current PHL (Plaisier et al., 2019). The urban population dependent on agricultural food from rural areas is expected to double over the next 25 years, with an annual growth rate of 4% (Lall et al., 2017). It is essential to tackle PHL in SSA to reduce the food deficit and ensure food and nutrition security (Affognon et al., 2015). SSA countries can reduce food losses by tackling the underlying causes of PHL and implementing effective strategies like upgrading infrastructure and technology for postharvest management, improving market access and transportation, and educating individuals on proper food preservation methods.