Effectiveness of indigenous practices in reducing postharvest losses of maize in Kwara state, Nigeria

Abstract

This research analysed the effectiveness of local methods to lessen maize spoilage after harvest in Kwara State, Nigeria. Three hundred and eighty maize farmers chosen via a multi-stage sampling technique throughout four of the State's Local Government Areas were interviewed using a custom-made questionnaire. Quantitative measures such as percentages, frequency distributions, regression analyses, and mean scores were employed in analysing the acquired data. Findings revealed that 1.9kg of maize was lost to harvesting, 0.6kag loss during transportation and 2.3kg during storage. Also, 90.6% applied pepper powder to store maize, 73.4% applied cribs and rhumbus to transport maize, 78.1% applied ashes to store maize, and 63.0% applied neem seed/leaf to store maize. Regression analysis show that the application of indigenous practices significantly affected maize loss during harvesting of maize (R2 = 0.265, F = 8.851, p < 0.01), maize loss during transportation (R2 = 0.324, F = 11.743, p < 0.01), and
maize loss during storage loss (R2 = 0.324, F = 11.743, p < 0.01). This study concludes that the applications of indigenous practices can preserve and reduce postharvest loss of maize grain during maize harvesting, transporting and storage stages. The study recommends that upgrading indigenous practices in the treatment of maize by concerned research institutes in Nigeria should be given priority.