Abstract
Postharvest losses especially at storage are a major challenge in yam production. Hence, the study was aimed to investigate and find out the suitable storage method which would minimize losses incurred during storage. A survey was conducted to assess the pre-storage treatments applied to yam, methods adopted for storage and farmers knowledge on postharvest losses. Effect of storage methods on major factors that initiate and cause losses and proximate analysis to determine the nutritional variation of White yam cultivars, Pona and Tela were also conducted before and after storage. The survey revealed, only few farmers (28%) apply agro-chemicals to their harvested tubers before storage. The most common storage method used by the respondents is the yam barn (60%). Burial (30%) and heaps on floor (10%) storage methods were also used depending on time of harvest. The respondents also estimated 4-40% as losses often incurred after harvest and in storage due to injuries (31%), pests (23%), weight loss (4%), sprout (21%) and decay (40%). The storage experiment conducted however showed sprouting at storage as the major cause of loss (93%). The storage methods caused a significant reduction on the nutritional composition of the stored tubers. With the three storage methods (heaps on floor, yam barn and open sided) evaluated, the open sided storage performed best in respect to weight loss, sprouting, decay, pest damage and nutritional composition.
Highlights
Yams are among the most important staple food crops in the world in the tropical and sub-tropical countries (Okigbo & Ogbonnaya, 2006)
A survey was conducted in five communities: Hani, Nkyeraa, Nsawkaw, Seikwa and Subinso in two major yam growing districts: Wenchi and Tain of BrongAhafo region in Ghana to find out; pre-storage treatments applied to yam by farmers, methods adopted by farmers for the storage of yam and farmers’ knowledge on postharvest losses during storage
The experiment was executed between November 3rd 2012 and March 30th 2013 having the period of 150 days Storage structures used for the study: The Traditional barn, Heaps on floor covered with litter and open-sided shelves store with rodent guards were prepared prior to the commencement of the Research work
Summary
Yams are among the most important staple food crops in the world in the tropical and sub-tropical countries (Okigbo & Ogbonnaya, 2006). Yam plays a central role in the food economy in most West African Countries especially Ghana. Yam is a major source of energy in the daily diet of many people in Ghana. Yam contributes more than 200 calories per person per day for more than 150 million people in West Africa (FAO, 2005). Yam tubers are mostly used for their high content of carbohydrate, they have high protein, minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron and vitamins B and C (Splittstoeser & Rhodes, 1973). The crop without any doubt contributes importantly to food security and poverty reduction in Ghana since it can be stored relatively better than many tropical crops
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