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 Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

BENUE JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY, Vol. 13 No. 2 (2026)



RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND POSTHARVEST LOSSES OF ORANGES IN KONSHISHA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA



Abstract

Post-harvest losses of oranges remain a persistent challenge in many rural farming communities in Nigeria due to infrastructural deficiencies that hinder efficient handling, storage, and transportation of agricultural produce. Despite Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State being an important hub for orange production, farmers continue to experience substantial losses after harvest, which undermines income generation and food security. This study examined the influence of rural infrastructure on post-harvest losses of oranges in Konshisha LGA. Specifically, it assessed the availability of rural infrastructure and analysed how infrastructural conditions affect the magnitude of post-harvest losses among orange farmers. The study was anchored on Modernization Theory. A descriptive survey design was adopted, involving 378 respondents comprising orange farmers, officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, and members of farmers’ and traders’ associations. Data were collected using questionnaires and key informant interviews and analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings revealed that critical rural infrastructures such as reliable road networks, storage facilities, electricity supply, and transportation services were largely inadequate in the study area. Consequently, farmers relied on motorcycles and bicycles for transport, lacked proper storage systems, and faced high transportation costs and seasonal road inaccessibility, all of which significantly increased post-harvest losses of oranges. The study concludes that infrastructural deficits are a major driver of post-harvest losses among orange farmers in Konshisha LGA. It therefore recommends increased government investment in rural roads, electrification, and storage infrastructure, alongside collaborative efforts by agricultural agencies and development partners to establish community storage hubs and provide farmers in Konshisha LGA with training on improved post-harvest management practices.



Key words: Rural Infrastructure, Post-harvest losse, Oranges, Konshisha Local Government

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