EFFECTIVENESS OF PERCEIVED USEFULNESS OF SOLAR-POWERED COLD STORAGE SYSTEMS FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE PRESERVATION IN REMOTE AREAS OF SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

Abstract

This research assesses the performance of solar-powered cold storage systems (SPCSS) for agricultural produce preservation among smallholder farmers and traders in the remote region of Southwest Nigeria, highlighting perceived usefulness in influencing adoption and effectiveness. Using mixed-methods research, the study combined survey research among 400 smallholder farmers and traders with 20 key informant interviews involving operators, cooperative leaders, and agricultural extension officers. Awareness, adoption, perceived usefulness, and challenges were respectively captured with structured survey questionnaire on the Likert scale using the 4-point rating scale. Semi-structured interviews investigated contextual understandings. Quantitative data were examined using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and ANOVA on SPSS v.26 and thematic content analysis on qualitative data. Results indicate that SPCSS are perceived extensively to be useful in minimizing spoilage, extending shelf life, and maximizing the income received by farmers. Regression analysis validated the finding that these perceived usefulness indicators strongly predict adoption and effectiveness (R² = 0.48, p < 0.001), and further confirmed affordability and maintenance challenges to negatively affect effectiveness. ANOVA results on perception also highlighted significant perception variations among the various stakeholder groupings wherein operators and leaders of cooperatives are more upbeat compared to farmers and traders. Results concur with more recent research undertaken on the continent and on the Asian continent on the potential of SPCSS to emphasize more the financial and institutional hurdles to sustained utilizations. Recommendations include innovative models to finance SPCSS and capacity building initiatives to cover inclusive governance structure and integration with agricultural and renewable energy policies to enhance increased adoption and long-term sustainability.