Determinants of utilisation of tomato value addition technology among beneficiaries in Oyo State, Nigeria

Value addition is essential in the tomato value chain, especially in the wake of an increasing rate of tomato postharvest loss. Both governmental and non-governmental organisations have trained small-scale entrepreneurs on Tomato Value Addition Technology (TVAT). A dearth of information on the utilisation of TVAT necessitated this study. A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select 142 respondents. Data were elicited from respondents with the aid of a questionnaire and analysed using frequency counts, percentages, multiple linear regression, and multivariate probit model at α_0.05. The results revealed that most (54.9 %) of the respondents had a high level of knowledge on TVAT and a favourable attitude (60.6 %) towards TVAT. However, the level of utilisation of TVAT was low (69.7 %). Lack of funds (68.3 %), NAFDAC registration requirements (66.9 %), and high cost of processing equipment (57.0 %) were prominent constraints militating against utilisation of TVAT. Constraints to the utilisation of TVAT (β = −0.395), age (β = −0.022), and income (β = 0.095) determined the utilisation of TVAT. Membership in a cooperative society (β = 0.221), income (β = 0.375) and constraints (β = −0.213) predicted the utilisation of tomato paste. Educational qualification (β = 0.132), cooperative society (β = 0.059), income (β = 0.336), and knowledge of TVAT (β = 0.229) predicted the utilisation of ketchup. Age (β = −0.112), income (β = 0.026), years of experience (β = 0.031), knowledge of TVAT (β = 0.311), and constraints (β = −0.093) predicted the utilisation of puree, whereas factors associated with the utilisation of dry slice tomato technology, were age (β = 0.107), marital status (β = 0.050), household size (β = 0.042) and years of experience (β = 0.219). Adequate funding is a sine qua non to the sustainability of agricultural technologies. The study recommended the need for more training on the utilisation of the technology, encouragement to form cooperative groups to facilitate easy access to funds, and establishment of cottage industry among stakeholders.