COOPERATIVE-LED FOOD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES AND VALUE CHAIN PERFORMANCE AMONG AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES IN ANAMBRA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Food safety technologies can support product quality, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen agricultural value-chain performance. This study examined the relationship between cooperative-led food safety technologies and value-chain performance among agricultural cooperatives in Anambra State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study determined the relationship of Safe Storage and Handling Technologies (SSHT), Food Quality Monitoring Technologies (FQMT), and Food-Safety Training (FST) with Value Chain Performance (VCP). A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data from 143 rice farmers were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple linear regression at the 5% significance level. The mean scores were 2.991 for SSHT, 2.540 for FQMT, 2.928 for FST, and 2.876 for VCP. Pearson correlations showed positive and statistically significant relationships between SSHT and VCP (r = .969, p < .001), FQMT and VCP (r = .933, p < .001), and FST and VCP (r = .723, p < .001). The regression model was statistically significant, F(3, 139) = 1617.0, p < .001, with R² = .972. SSHT had the strongest standardized contribution to VCP (β = .612, p < .001), followed by FQMT (β = .353, p < .001) and FST (β = .069, p = .001). The findings indicate that the three food-safety variables were positively associated with value-chain performance among the sampled rice farmers. However, the exceptionally high R² and correlations warrant cautious interpretation because of possible overlap among the construct measures. The study recommends stronger cooperative support for safe storage, quality monitoring, and context-specific food-safety training.