SWEETPOTATO [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam] ROOT QUALITY: ASSESSMENT OF PACKAGING CONTAINERS FOR TRANSPORT IN GHANA

Abstract

Sweetpotato root packaging and transport are very important value chain activities in the marketing of the fresh produce. This study investigated the sweetpotato storage root packaging and transportation from aggregation centres to urban markets in Ghana. A structured questionnaire was administered to sweetpotato root aggregators at Bawku (Upper East regions) and Afram Plains (Eastern region). A follow-up transport experiment was conducted to compare two proposed containers (50 kg-polypropylene sack and 50 kg-wooden crate) with existing packaging containers (polypropylene and jute sacks packed about 130 kg) for the transportation of sweetpotato roots from major aggregation sites (Bawku and Afram Plains {Adawso}) to distant urban markets (Bittou, market centre in Burkina Faso and Accra respectively). Root mechanical quality indices (breaks, bruises and cuts), impact, visual acceptance and benefit cost ratio (BCR) were evaluated. Polypropylene and Jute sacks were the commonly used packaging containers to transport sweetpotato in Ghana. Most aggregators (81 %) in Bawku transport their sweetpotato roots to Bittou. Tricycles (Motorkings) and donkey drawn carts are the common mode of transport of sweetpotato for the Bawku Bittou route whiles market trucks are used for the Afram Plains (Adawso)-Accra route. A paired-sample t-test comparison showed a significant increase in major (p = 0.028, 0.016) and minor (p = 0.001, 0.034) breakages in the existing polypropylene before and after transport for both year one and two for the Afram Plains (Adawso)-Accra route in a hired truck. The 50 kg-packaging containers delivered much higher percentage of None broken roots to the urban market compared with the existing containers. Apart from 50 kg-wooden crates that delivered about a quarter of none-bruised roots to the urban market, the other containers resulted in total bruised roots. The average impact recorded at both loading and offloading sites was significantly (p = 0.006) lowest in 50 kg-wooden crate, a fifth for the impact of the roots in the existing polypropylene (75 g), being the highest. Rank means for visual assessment by consumers for the roots contained in the 50 kg-wooden crates (p < 0.0001) was highest in year one; and the 50 kg-polypropylene (p = 0.003) in year two and lowest for existing polypropylene in both years. Although the wooden crate was superior in protecting roots from impact and bruising, it was less profitable, hence it was not included in year two study. Transporting roots in 50 kg-sized sacks (BCR = 1.44, 1.28) may lead to higher profit for aggregators and delivery of more wholesome roots at the urban market.