AKSU Journal of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

ASSESSMENT OF PACKAGING PRACTICES USED BY VALUE CHAIN ACTORS IN ENHANCING AGRO-PRODUCT MARKETABILITY IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, NIGERIA

Author:  Inyang, H. B.

Abstract
The study assessed the packaging practices employed by value chain actors to enhance the marketability of agro-products in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 222 respondents from Kuje and Kwali Area Councils. Data were collected through validated questionnaires and interview schedules and analysed using descriptive statistics, a 4-point Likert scale type rating scale, binary logistic regression, and binomial tests. Results showed that respondents were predominantly male (69.37%), married (72.97%), while the average age was 36.81 years, signifying that the respondents were within economically active age groups, with most operating small to medium farm sizes. About 52% of the respondents widely perceived packaging to reduce post-harvest losses, extend shelf life, preserve product quality, and enhance market value. Respondents also demonstrated strong willingness to adopt modern packaging technologies, with over 84% indicating high readiness. Major challenges to adoption included high cost of packaging materials (Mean = 3.55, standard deviation (SD) = 0.58), limited access to credit (Mean = 3.55, SD = 0.56), inadequate technical knowledge (Mean = 3.32, SD = 0.63) and poor infrastructural support (Mean = 3.01, SD = 0.66). Logistic regression results revealed that age (1%), education (0.5%), farm size (0.5%), household size (1%), cooperative membership (0.5%), and access to extension services (1%) significantly influenced the types and forms of packaging used. The study concludes that although modern packaging is recognized as essential for improving agro-product marketability in the FCT, adoption is hindered by financial, technical, and infrastructural constraints. It recommends strengthened extension support, improved access to credit, subsidised packaging materials, and targeted capacity building to enhance adoption of improved packaging technologies. Based on the above findings, it is recommended that government agencies, private-sector stakeholders, and development partners introduce subsidies, grants, or tax incentives to reduce the high cost of modern packaging inputs. Also, financial institutions should design flexible, low-interest credit schemes specifically for farmers, processors, and marketers.