ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF ZERO ENERGY COOLING CHAMBER (ZECC) TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM) AMONG FARMERS IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the effect of zero energy cooling chamber (ZECC) technology among tomato farmers in Kano State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 401 farmers in the study area. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test. The result revealed that minimum, maximum and average quantity of tomato spoiled before adoption of ZECC were 11, 45 and 28 baskets of tomatoes, respectively with a standard deviation of 1.081. Also, the results show that the minimum, maximum and average quantity of tomato spoiled after adoption of ZECC were 1, 16 and 5.5 baskets of tomatoes, respectively with a standard deviation of 3.170. Further, result show that minimum, maximum and average quantity of tomato spoiled before adoption of ZECC were 1, 9 and 3 days, respectively with a standard deviation of 0.949. Also, the results show that the minimum, maximum and average quantity of tomato spoiled after adoption of ZECC were 1, 19 and 12 days, respectively with a standard deviation of 1.462. Result on income of tomato production before adoption of ZECC technology revealed that minimum, maximum and mean income obtained by the farmers were ₦23,000.00, ₦55,000.00 and ₦55,2550.00, respectively. While the minimum, maximum and mean income after adoption of ZECC technology were ₦39,000.00, ₦98,000.00 and ₦94,624.00, respectively. Result on paired t-test on the quantity of tomato spoiled, duration of spoilage and income, before and after adoption of ZECC technology revealed that there was significant difference at P< 0.001, P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively. The constraints affecting adoption of ZECC technology were inadequate government support as a severe constraint, pest and disease, among others. The study concludes that there was positive impact on tomato storage using ZECC technology. The study recommends enhancement on training farmers on ZECC technology in order to increase level of adoption which in turn increase life shell of tomatoes and farmers’ income in the study area.