Farmers' Perception of Benefits Associated with Post-Harvest Management Practices of Selected Crops in Kogi State of Nigeria

Post-harvest losses are accountable for more than half of agricultural produce in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study determines farmers’ perception on the benefits associated with post-harvest management practices of selected crops in Kogi State of Nigeria. Sample size of 160 farmers were selected using multi-stage sampling procedure. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were gathered on level awareness on post-harvest management practices, farmers’ perception on the benefits of post-harvest management and challenges faced in practicing post-harvest management. Data were analysed using frequency, count, percentage and mean. The result revealed that the mean age of farmers was 43 years with mean farming experience and annual income of 28.9 years and N414,012 respectively. All (100%) of the farmers were aware of all the methods of post-harvest management in yam and maize. Farmers agreed that post-harvest management increase farmers’ standard of living (67.5%), post-harvest management is good for meeting farmers need in time of food scarcity (60.6%) and postharvest management meet farmers daily food needs (60.6%). Shortage of fund (98.1%), high cost of post-harvest material (94.4%) and transportation challenge (93.8%) were the major challenges faced in practicing the postharvest management. It can be concluded that increase in standard of living and meeting farmers need in time of scarcity were the most benefits associated with post-harvest management. It is recommended that farmers should pull their resources together in order purchase cost friendly infrastructures for their produce. Farmers should leverage on the traditional management practices to save cost.