Usage of Maize Storage Technologies for Postharvest Loss Prevention in OkeOgun/Saki Area of Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the usage of traditional and improved maize storage technologies by farmers in Saki/Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State. The study was conducted from April-July, 2019; using a validated structured questionnaire for data collection. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted to draw a sample of 191 maize farmers. Grain storage technologies usage frequency was measured on afour-point Likert-type numerical scale 4-1 as regularly, occasionally, seldom, and never respectively. Descriptive analysis of collected data revealed regular usage of both raffia woven basket (98.9%) and traditional crib (96.1%) by respondents. Sampled maize farmers overwhelmingly indicated non-usage of rhombus (98.0%) to store their produce; with a substantial number (88.2%) rarely using containers. Further analysis shows maize farmers used improved crib regularly (76.5%). Inert atmosphere silo (80.4%), conventional silo (76.5%), purdue improved crop storage (90.2%) and zerofly™ (65.4%) bags were never used to store maize by farmers. Chisquare )  analysis revealed significant (p≤0.05) associations between technology  30 usage and socioeconomic characteristics of maize farmers. The cost and bulk storage nature of improved storage technology could be traced to its never used; while awareness is also very low on the use of those cost effective bagged technologies. Keywords: Storage usage, traditional grain technology.