From Knowledge To Practice: Behavioural And Infrastructural Determinants Of Post-Harvest Storage Behaviour Among Aquaculture And Crop Farmers In Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the behavioral and infrastructural determinants of post-harvest storage behavior among aquaculture and crop farmers in Lagos State, Nigeria. Drawing on an integrated Knowledge–Attitude–Practice (KAP) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, the study used a convergent mixed-methods design. Primary data were obtained from 240 farmers in Ikorodu, Epe and Kosofe through structured questionnaires, open-ended responses and brief key-informant inputs. The source study reports a moderate level of storage knowledge, positive attitudes and high reported engagement in storage practices. The Knowledge Score Index is reported as 4.04 in the results table; the source narrative elsewhere reports 4.41, so the tabulated value of 4.04 is retained here for internal consistency. Multiple regression showed significant positive associations of knowledge (β=0.051, p=0.001) and attitude (β=0.551, p<0.001) with storage practices, while barriers were also positively associated with the practice index (β=0.561, p<0.001) and subjective norms were negatively associated (β=-0.150, p<0.001). The model explained 92.5% of the reported variance (R²=0.925). Mediation analysis indicated a significant indirect effect of knowledge through perceived behavioural control (indirect effect=0.136; 95% CI 0.092–0.182), while moderation analysis showed a significant TPB-by-infrastructure interaction (β=1.652, p<0.001; R²=0.839). The findings indicate that storage behaviour cannot be understood from knowledge alone: farmers' capacity to act and the availability of enabling infrastructure are central to translating behavioural dispositions into practice.