Maize cob losses and their effects on the poverty status of maize farmers in Edo state, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analysed fresh maize cob losses and its effect on the poverty status of maize farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to estimate the physical and financial amount of fresh maize cob losses experienced by maize farmers, examine the effect of fresh maize cob losses on the respondents’ poverty status, and determine the poverty status of the respondents. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 108 maize farmers. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgeting technique, relative poverty line analysis, the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) poverty measure, and t-test. The average profit without loss per maize farmer was N165, 599.15. However, with loss of about 185kg of fresh maize cobs per farmer, the profit reduced to N118, 931.17. The difference in the mean profit with and without loss was significant at 1%. Fresh maize cob losses increased the proportion of the poor respondents by 14%. The poverty incidence with and without maize cob loss was 0.64 and 0.50 respectively. The study concluded that maize farming was a profitable venture. However, maize cob loss resulted in significant reduction in the income of the farmers. This study therefore recommended that relevant bodies such as the government, farmers’ cooperatives and non-governmental organizations should assist in addressing the problem of maize cob loss among farmers which would help alleviate their poverty. 

Key words: relative poverty line, FGT poverty measure, budgetary technique