AN EVALUATION OF ONION STORAGE LOSSES AND IMPLICATION FOR FOOD SECURITY IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Causes of onion storage losses and price fluctuations were investigated. A storage trial was conducted from May 2003 to March 2004 for the collection of primary data on causes of onion storage losses. Data on onion prices were collected fortnightly from the Sokoto central market. Results of the study revealed that dehydration, rotting and sprouting were the main causes of losses in stored onion, Losses due dehydration accounted for up 59.15% of the quality of onion stored. As the storage period progressed retail and wholesale prices of onion also increased, with the high«est prices obtained between the mouth of October and December. As the demand/supply gap widens, the price of the product also increase. Thus commodity. This has implication on food security. To make it difficult for many households to afford the minimize the problem, the development of high temperature storage {at ambient temperature) which is a cheaper technology than the low temperature storage is advocated.