POST-HARVEST LOSS AND FOOD SECURITY: A CASE STUDY OF MAJOR FOOD CROPS IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Post-harvest loss (PHL) is the reduction in the quantity and quality of crops produced after harvest. This can lead to serious consequences for household food security in Nigeria. This study was conducted to improve our understanding of the effect of Post-harvest loss in food crops in Katsina State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from a survey of 240 farming households that were randomly selected across 16 Local Government areas in the State. The results shows that majority of the respondents are within 41-50 years of age and married with household sizes of between 9-16 persons. Sorghum, millet, maize and cowpea are the major food crops that suffer high levels of PHL in Katsina State. Cowpea PHL were higher during storage, Sorghum PHL were higher during threshing and storage while maize PHL were higher during drying and at storage. Millet losses were also higher during threshing and storage respectively. The PHL in cowpea are mainly due to insect pest attack and spillage during post-harvest handling operations. Poor storage conditions and spillage are also responsible for the losses observed in sorghum. Maize PHL are mainly due to theft and spillage while millet losses are due to spillage and poor storage facilities. The study concludes that post-harvest losses significantly influenced household food security in Katsina State. It is therefore recommended that farmers should be trained on Post-harvest management and be provided with modern storage facilities in order to reduce PHL.