Effect of yam storage techniques usage on farm income in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Yam is an important tuber crop in Nigeria. However, its availability is affected by rate of deterioration arising from poor postharvest handling. Hence, farmers use various techniques to minimize the loss. Therefore, this study examined the effect of the usage of various yam storage techniques on farm income in Kwara State, Nigeria. Data were collected from 180 respondents and analyzed with descriptive statistics, Tobit regression, weight index, and bivariate correlation. Data analysis reveals that yam barn storage technique was ranked first in terms of level of usage by the farmers with the highest average weight index (AWI=2.54) while, open sided shelve was the least (AWI=0.594). However, in terms of level of awareness, the heap on the floor technique was ranked first by the respondents. The Tobit regression analysis indicates that extension service and crop yield had a positive and significant effect on the usage of yam storage techniques, while access to credit had a negative significant effect. The bivariate correlation reveals that; there is a positive significance between usage intensity and farm income of the farmers. It is therefore recommended that extension agents should actively disseminate information on improved storage techniques to yam farmers in the study area as well as the need to use such techniques.

Keywords: storage technique, postharvest loss, yam barn, usage, awareness