Transportation Challenges and Perishable Goods Delivery: Evidence from Agricultural Produce Traders in Kano State, North West Nigeria

This study explores the transportation challenges affecting the delivery of perishable agricultural goods among traders in Kano State, North West Nigeria. Kano is one of Nigeria's largest agricultural commodity hubs, handling significant volumes of tomatoes, onions, grains, and livestock products distributed across the country. Poor road infrastructure, inadequate refrigerated transport, and unpredictable fuel availability continue to undermine the integrity of perishable goods in transit. Using a descriptive survey approach, structured questionnaires were administered to 150 agricultural traders and transporters operating within the Dawanau Grain Market and Yankaba Market clusters in Kano. The study identifies the most prevalent transportation constraints, assesses the frequency and magnitude of post-harvest losses attributable to transit delays, and evaluates informal coping strategies employed by traders. Data analysis uses descriptive statistics including percentages, mean scores, and ranking scales. The research draws on recent literature on cold chain logistics and last-mile delivery in African agricultural markets published between 2019 and 2024. Findings will highlight the need for government investment in road rehabilitation and cold storage facilities at key market nodes in Kano. Recommendations are targeted at the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture, logistics service providers, and smallholder farmer cooperatives seeking to reduce avoidable transit losses. Keywords: transportation, perishable goods, agricultural logistics, Kano, post-harvest loss.