Examining the Role of Transport Management in Reducing Post-Harvest Agricultural Losses in Kebbi State

Post-harvest agricultural losses in Nigeria are substantially driven by transport management failures, including inadequate vehicle equipment, poor road conditions, and inefficient supply chain coordination from farm to market. This study empirically examines the contribution of transport management practices to post-harvest loss levels across rice, tomato, and onion value chains in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria. A mixed methods design is employed, combining quantitative loss measurement surveys at farm gate, intermediate market, and terminal market stages with qualitative interviews of 40 farmers, 30 produce traders, and 20 logistics coordinators. Transport management practices assessed include vehicle cooling technology use, cargo loading practices, road route selection, and supply chain coordination mechanisms. Econometric analysis using a treatment effects model shows that adoption of covered transport and improved loading practices reduces post-harvest losses for tomatoes by an estimated 27 percent and for onions by 19 percent. The absence of cold chain transport explains 44 percent of perishable post-harvest losses along the Kebbi-Kano distribution corridor. The study identifies a gap in the literature on the logistics management dimensions of post-harvest loss in West African irrigated agriculture systems. Findings challenge the common attribution of post-harvest losses to production rather than distribution system deficiencies. Recommendations include targeted cold chain transport investment for perishable value chains, transport logistics training for produce traders, and the development of a state agricultural logistics strategy. Keywords: post-harvest loss, agricultural logistics, transport management, Kebbi State, cold chain.