Determinants of households’ food wastes in Osogbo Metropolis, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Globally, food wastage is a significant problem. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture organization estimate, one third of human food  production is lost or wasted. Waste occurs in all parts of the value chain, from post-harvest processing through the supply chain. This study examined  determinants of food waste among households in Osogbo Metropolis, Osun state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select one  hundred and twenty (120) respondents from the study area. Data were collected with structured interview schedule. Frequency counts, means,  percentages, and multiple regression analysis were the major statistical tools employed in data analysis. Results of descriptive analysis of the  socioeconomic characteristics reveals that majority of the respondents were middle aged, married, female public officers, with averaged sized family.  Protein from plant sources and carbohydrate are the most wasted household food items in the households. Protein from plant sources and carbohydrate  are the most wasted household food items in the households. Epileptic electricity supply is a major reason for household food wastages,  while refrigeration is the most widely used method of preservation among the households. The study concluded that significant quantity of food is  wasted among the households. Household size, household food expenditure, the quantity of food consumption, and frequency of food consumption are  significant factors influencing the level of households’ food waste in the study area. Thus, strict monitoring of these variables would minimize  households’ food waste in the study area.