Abstract
This study analysed fresh maize cob losses and its effect on the poverty status of maize farmers in Edo State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to estimate the physical and financial amount of fresh maize cob losses experienced by maize farmers, examine the effect of fresh maize cob losses on the respondents’ poverty status, and determine the poverty status of the respondents. Multistage sampling technique was used in selecting 108 maize farmers. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgeting technique, relative poverty line analysis, the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) poverty measure, and t-test. The average profit without loss per maize farmer was N165, 599.15. However, with loss of about 185kg of fresh maize cobs per farmer, the profit reduced to N118, 931.17. The difference in the mean profit with and without loss was significant at 1%. Fresh maize cob losses increased the proportion of the poor respondents by 14%. The poverty incidence with and without maize cob loss was 0.64 and 0.50 respectively. The study concluded that maize farming was a profitable venture. However, maize cob loss resulted in significant reduction in the income of the farmers. This study therefore recommended that relevant bodies such as the government, farmers’ cooperatives and non-governmental organizations should assist in addressing the problem of maize cob loss among farmers which would help alleviate their poverty. Key words : relative poverty line, FGT poverty measure, budgetary technique
Highlights
Maize is an important cereal crop that originated from South and Central America and came into West Africa in the 10th century (Ukonze et al, 2016; Olaniyi and Adewale, 2012) and to Nigeria in the 16th century
This suggests that hired labour was not readily available in the study area which could have resulted in the high labour cost
The use of crude implements and human labour as against the use of machinery could have contributed to the high labour cost
Summary
Maize is an important cereal crop that originated from South and Central America and came into West Africa in the 10th century (Ukonze et al, 2016; Olaniyi and Adewale, 2012) and to Nigeria in the 16th century. Maize which started as a subsistence crop in Nigeria is grown on commercial basis due to its economic importance. It thrives well in diverse ecological zones; it is consumed either as a snack or substitute for normal food, serves as a source of carbohydrate to humans, feed for livestock, raw material for many industries and source of income, thereby seen as a panacea for poverty in Nigeria (Olaniyan 2015). Its grains are said to be rich in essential minerals, protein, fats, fibre and carbohydrates (Sule et al, 2014)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
