Effects of Post-Harvest Handling on Maize Farmers’ Income in Nkoma Sub County Kamwenge District

Abstract

This study was on the effect of post-harvest handling on maize farmers’ income in Nkoma Sub County, Kamwenge District. The study objectives were to: identify post-harvest handling technologies and practices on maize farmers’ income; establish the role of training in post-harvest handling technologies on maize farmers’ income; assess the effects of the post-harvest technologies and practices on the incomes of maize farmers. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design applying quantitative and qualitative approaches for data collection. Data was captured from a sample of 150 respondents using both questionnaire and interviews. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study identified different post harvest handling technologies and practices used by maize farmers in Nkoma sub-county, Kamwenge District such as; threshing, drying, storage, winnowing, shelling, grading and packing. The study identified that there were factors affecting the use of maize post-harvest handling technologies on Smallholder maize farmer’s income. These were; price fluctuation of maize grains, human and financial capital, excessive field heats and lack of on-farm storage facilities and knowledge on post-harvest handling practices. The study further concluded that specific post harvest technologies/practices had an effect on household income generated. Technologies/practices such as; drying (p< 0.002), storage (p<0.00), winnowing (p<0.01), grading and packaging (p<0.001) presented a significant association with household income. The study concluded that different post-harvest handling technologies/practices such as; drying, storage, winnowing, grading and packaging have a significant contribution on household income however the rate of use of these practices is still low due to different socio-economic and institutional factors. The study therefore recommended more education for farmers on the technologies since this influences farmers’ decision to adopt technologies. Farmers should be assisted in acquiring value addition facilities such as threshing and grinding machines to improve packaging. Farmers must be supported through credit services so to acquire advanced postharvest handling technologies and equipment.