Assessment of Post-Harvest Losses and the Effect of Untimely Harvest of Maize Crops (A Case Study of Mirnga Community)
Abstract
Currently, one of the main universal challenges is how to warrant food security for a humankind growing population whereas ensuring and abiding sustainable development. As stated by the FAO, food production will need to flourish by 70% to feed humankind population which will attain 9 billion by 2050. The study employed the administration of questioner to fifty (50) selected farmers in the community constituting of male and female farmers to avoid gender bias. fifty (50) farmers were selected at random constituting of five (35) male farmers and five (15) female famers. The study found that Timely harvesting gives 34% higher yield (2,882 vs 2,148 kg/ha). Post-harvest loss is almost half (9% vs 18%). Despite lower losses, timely harvesters face smaller average economic impact. Descriptive Statistics shows that: Yield (kg/ha): avg 2,361 (min 750) (max 3,500) post-harvest loss (%): avg 14.4% (min 5%) (max 25%) Economic Impact (?): avg ?53,029 (min ?20,000) (max ?119,160). Timely harvest improves both yield and reduces losses. Untimely harvest nearly doubles the loss percentage (17.6% vs 9.1%). Economic burden is higher on untimely farmers, their total impact is ?344,160 vs ?133,100 for timely farmers. One extreme case (untimely, 2,700 kg/ha, loss 20%, impact ?119,160) shows how late harvesting can severely increase losses.
Keywords
post-harvestGrainEffectUntimelyCropsMirnga
References
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