FACTORS INFLUENCING UTILIZATION OF NSPRI DEVELOPED COMPOSITE PACKAGING MATERIALS AMONG CATFISH PROCESSORS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The examined the factors influencing the utilization of NSPRI developed composite packaging materials among catfish processor in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 68 registered catfish processors were randomly selected using a two stage sampling procedure. Data were obtained through the use of a well-structured questionnaire.  Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used in analysing the data.  Findings from the study showed that majority (60.3%) of the catfish processors were females with an average age of 47.3 years. The results also showed that majority of the processors (85.2%) operated at a small-scale level with an average experience of 8.2 years.  More than quarter (26.7%) of the catfish processors were aware of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI) developed composite packaging materials, while 38.8% of the respondents had used either Polyethene-Paper or Polyethene-paper-polyethene for fish packaging.  The results of the regression analysis revealed that production level, years of education, years of experience, and level of income had a significant positive relationship with utilization of NSPRI composite packaging materials. Respondents identified non-availability of the NSPRI designed composite packaging materials in the market, poor awareness of the relative advantage over polyethene or paper packaging materials and high cost of procurement as major constraints to utilization. The study concluded that level of production, years of education, experience in processing and income were significant in influencing the utilization of NSPRI composite materials among catfish processors’ in the study area. Sensitization and training of processors and extension personnel on the advantages of using materials are some of the recommendations made towards increasing awareness and utilisation.