POST-HARVEST LOSSES IN CASSAVA VALUE CHAIN IN EKITI- IMPLICATIONS ON SMALL SCALE FARMERS PRODUCTION AND INCOME

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the post -harvest loses in cassava value chain. A multi stage random sampling technique was used to select 160 respondents for the study while a structured interview schedule was used for data collection. Frequency counts, percentages and mean were used in data analysis. The study revealed that more male than female farmers were involved in cassava production in the area. Youths participated actively in the production and value chain of cassava. Most of the respondents were literate. The study shows that most of the cassava producers in Ekiti state were small scale farmers, with 66.9% having less than two hectares of cassava farm. A good proportion of the farmers (..%) that process cassava before sales show some form of value addition. Losses were witnessed at various stages of post -harvest management. The stages involved harvesting, transportation, processing (grinding and frying) and storage with 7.54 to 5.49, to 5.23-4.95 3.78 to 3.26 to 2.57- 2.17 percentages losses respectively. In terms of revenue losses, the mean estimate loss ranges from N3709.68 to N2701.08 – N2573.16 -N2435.4 (in crop harvesting) to N1859.76 -N 1161.12 (storage losses) and N1067.64 (transportation losses) per annum. Hence, post-harvest losses reduce farmer’s income and standard of living. The study recommends the construction of feeder roads to lessen the burden of transportation. The farmers can come together to form cooperatives for purchase of modern processing machines. There is the need to design packaging bags for the sales of cassava products to improve market access and points of sales at supermarkets. Training programs should be organized for farmers on value addition.