Thesis Abstract

<p>&nbsp;                 <b>ABSTRACT</b>&nbsp;</p><p>The study examined the factors affecting the adoption of modern yam storage technologies by farmers in the northern ecological zone of Edo State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 127 respondents and analysed with frequency tables and logistic regression. Data analysis reveals yam barn to be the major traditional storage method used by farmers (100%). Their adoption of improved yam storage technologies was low with shelving being the most widely adopted (28.3%). Logistic regression analysis indicates that age (odd ratio = 0.67), farm size (3.68), farming experience (1.25) and contact with extension agents (1.79) had significant (p&lt;0.05) influence on farmers’ adoption of improved yam storage technology. Major constraints limiting the farmers’ adoption of these technologies were ignorance of technology existence (100%), non-availability (46.5%) and high cost (34.6%)of the some of the storage technologies. Farmers should be provided with information regarding improved storage methods as well as exposed to training on their use. <br></p><p> <b>KEYWORDS Adoption. Yam. Storage. Technologies. Nigeria </b> <br></p>

Thesis Overview

<p><b>1.0 INTRODUCTION&nbsp;</b></p><p>Post-harvest storage losses have been of concern even to the United Nations which brought it to international focus when it declared in 1975 that “further reduction of post-harvest food losses in developing countries should be undertaken as a matter of priority” (FAO and UNEP 1981). This led many national governments to take more seriously the problems of storage of agricultural produce. Although attempts have been made to increase agricultural production by bringing more land into cultivation and use of improved seeds and chemicals, these have been less effective because any apparent gain in production has been lost from the moment the food crop is harvested to the time it reaches the consumers’ table (Oracca-Tetteh 1978). Post-harvest food losses are one of the important sources of food insecurity in Africa. According to AMCOST (2006), pre- and postharvest food crop loss among African countries is estimated at about 10%, which is higher than the global average. Although it has been difficult to quantify post-harvest storage losses, some claim that as much as 20% of yam tubers may be lost to pest attack in storage (Sauphanor and Ratnadass 1985 cited by FAO 1998). Tropical root and tuber crops such as cassava, yam, and cocoyam are important household food security and income generating crops in many African countries (AMCOST 2006; FAO 1998), and over 5 million people are said to depend on these crops for food, feeds and income. Thus, losses associated with these crops limit the potential income of the farmers, threatens food security and exacerbates conditions of poverty among rural households, whose income stream depends on the ability to store excess farm produce for a later date (Ntiokwana 1999 cited by ThamagaChitja et al. 2004). Although farmers have been known to practice indigenous storage of farm produce, these have been known to be less effective compared to modern storage methods. According to Mughogho (1989), Omoruyi and Orhue (1991) and Tyler (1982), produce stored under the traditional system usually do not keep long and farmers usually suffer great losses. Thus, there is need for the extension service to actively pursue and communicate knowledge of improved storage methods to farmers since effective storage plays an important role in stabilising food supply at the household level by smoothing the seasonal food production. <br></p><p> For storage to be effective, crop losses must be minimised (Takavarasha and Rukovo 1989). Improved methods of storage have therefore been developed which attempt to minimize crop losses and reduce the causes of post-harvest deterioration of yam tubers (Ezeike 1995; Fiagan 1995). The agricultural extension service in Nigeria and in Edo State particularly has disseminated and encouraged farmers’ adoption of improved yam storage methods (Osagie 1992). It was hoped that farmers’ adoption of these technologies would lead to food losses, improved income and enhanced food security (Florkowski and Xi-Ling 1990). However, the widespread and continued use of traditional storage practices by small scale and subsistence farmers in Edo State despite considerable losses usually associated with these methods (Mughogho 1989) and the availability of improved storage methods (Osagie1992) warrant investigation.&nbsp;</p><p><b>OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY</b></p><p>The study examined the factors affecting the adoption of yam storage technologies by farmers in the northern ecological zone of Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, this study looked at the following objectives, which are to:&nbsp;</p><p>1. Identify the personal characteristics of yam producers in the study area.&nbsp;</p><p>2. Ascertain the yam storage methods the farmers are presently using.&nbsp;</p><p>3. Assess the farmers’ awareness and adoption of improved yam storage methods recommended by the state extension service.&nbsp;</p><p>4. Determine the factors affecting the adoption of these improved storage methods by the farmers.&nbsp;</p><p>5. Ascertain the seriousness of post-harvest losses and identify the yam storage problems faced by farmers in the study area.&nbsp;</p><p><b>HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;</p><p>The following null hypothesis was tested: Ho: There is no significant association between farmers’ socio-economic characteristics and adoption of improved yam storage techniques. <br></p><p> <b>METHODOLOGY&nbsp;</b></p><p>The northern ecological zone of Edo State is characterized by savannah vegetation, and lies within the northern agricultural zone of the state agricultural extension service. Farming is the predominant economic activity of the people yam, maize and cassava are major crops grown. The zone comprises of 5 Local Government (LGAs) councils namely Owan West, Owan East, Etsako Central, Etsako West and Akoko – Edo. Owan West and Etsako West LGs were randomly sampled. Owan West consists of 9 communities (Sabo, Ukhomora, Emen, Okhia, Ovbiokhuan, Oke, Abiosi, Uzeba and Okpuje) of which 3 communities (Abiosi, Oke and Uzeba) were randomly sampled. In Etsako West LG, 3 communities were also randomly sampled (Ayoywiri, Usogun and Agbede) from a total of 10 (Fuga, Agbede, Ekperi, Udaba, Ayoywiri, Azukara, Ogomeri, Usogun, Ugbekpe, Anegbete). From each selected community (6 in all) 25 yam farmers were randomly sampled, making the total respondents 150. Data were gathered from the respondents by means of a structured interview schedule. Only 127 of the expected 150 responses were found useful for data analysis. Analysis of data was done using frequency table, percentage, mean and logistic regresson.&nbsp;</p><p><b>Measurement of Variables&nbsp;</b></p><p><i><b>Adoption of Improved Storage Technologies:</b></i> For the purpose of hypothesis test, a farmer is taken to be an adopter if he/she is using any of the recommended storage method.&nbsp;</p><p><b><i>Yam Storage Constraints:</i></b> The seriousness of specific post-harvest storage problems of the farmers was measured on a 5 point Likert scale: very serious (scored 5), serious (4), moderately serious (3), not serious (2) and undecided (1). To decide which constraints were serious, a mean score of 3.00 was used as in Tologbonse et al (2006). This mid-point was obtained by summing the assigned scores (1+2+3+4+5) to get 15 and dividing by 5 to get 3.00. The weighted mean score for each problem was obtained by multiplying the frequency scores with the point scale for each rating and dividing by the sample size (number of respondents). Any variable/storage problem having a mean score &gt;3.00 is considered serious while any with a weighted mean score &lt;3.00 is considered not serious. <br></p>