Packaging containers for long-distance transport of sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L) Lam] storage roots in Ghana

Two proposed containers (50 kg-polypropylene sack and 50 kg-wooden crate) were compared with existing packaging containers (100 kg-polypropylene and jute sacks) to transport sweetpotato storage roots from major aggregation sites to distant urban market centers. The extent of breaks, bruises and the impacts, incurred by storage roots packaged in the different containers, were assessed. Additionally, at the urban market centers, the visual quality of the transported storage roots was evaluated by both aggregators and consumers. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) for each of packaging options was calculated to ascertain their profitability for sweetpotato roots transportation. The existing polypropylene/jute sacks resulted in significant major breakages in both years (p = 0.028, 0.016) after transportation for the Afram Plains-Accra route in truck. The donkey-driven carts or tricycles used for the Bawku-Bitou route did not show any significant (p > 0.05) influence on the storage roots contained in the existing polypropylene/jute sacks. The average impact recorded at both loading and offloading sites was significantly different (13.4 - 19.3 g vs. 0 - 30.0 g; p = 0.045) for all the containers. The proposed 50 kg-woodencrate had a significantly superior (mean rank of 127; p < 0.0001) visual quality compared with the other packages. All the packaging options showed profitability, because they had a BCR > 1.40, except for the 50 kg-wooden-crate. The 50 kg-polypropylene container delivered better quality roots to urban market centers than the existing packaging containers, and was more profitable than the 50 kg-wooden crates. The 50 kg-polypropylene container is recommended for the transport of sweetpotato storage roots in Ghana.