Abstract
Cassava has been identified as Africa’s second most important staple food after maize, in terms of calories consumed, with Nigeria as the World leading producer. This study estimated postharvest loss of cassava along the cassava value chain in Kwara State. It estimated the size of postharvest loss of cassava; analysed the factors responsible and the financial implications of loss; and identified the strategies employed in the mitigation of loss in the study area. A three-stage random sampling technique was used to select 117 cassava farmers whom were administered structured questionnaire to elicit data analysed by the study. Descriptive statistics, Shannon’s diversity index and Tobit regression model were the analytical techniques utilised. The results show that 68 % of the loss occurred at the harvesting. The loss was estimated to be about 3.8 t ha-1. The financial implication was valued at $ 300 ha-1. Analysis of the factors responsible for cassava postharvest loss showed that the quantity expected at harvesting, household size and age of the farmer were significant factors affecting cassava postharvest loss. The result also revealed that farmers mitigate these losses by processing the roots and reburying unused roots into the soil. Steps needed to reduce loss have to take these factors into consideration to improve the economic status of cassava farmers-processors.
Highlights
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) is a member of the family of Euphorbiaceae, and is one of the oldest cultivated crops by human beings the early history of cassava is still a mystery (Gulick et al, 1983)
Kwara State is divided into four zones by the Kwara State Agricultural Development Project (KWADP) in consonance with ecological characteristics, cultural practices and project’s administrative convenience
Estimation of the size of cassava post-harvest loss shows that the average postharvest loss of cassava per hectare of farmland under cassava cultivation in the study area was 3.80 t ha−1
Summary
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) is a member of the family of Euphorbiaceae, and is one of the oldest cultivated crops by human beings the early history of cassava is still a mystery (Gulick et al, 1983). It was reported that cassava has been cultivated in northern Amazonia more than 1000 years ago (Jones, 1959) until some years back when it was postulated that cassava is likely to be originated from wild M. esculenta populations along the southern region of the Amazon basin (Olsen et al, 2001). Portuguese explorers introduced cassava to Africa during the 16th and 17th centuries through their trade with the African coasts and nearby islands. Africans spread cassava further, and it is found in almost all parts of tropical Africa.
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