ABSTRACT
Yam is an annual crop, so for it to be available throughout the year, harvested tubers must be stored for six to eight months before new yams are harvested. The possibility to store fresh yam tubers is decisively influenced by their dormancy which occurs shortly after their physiological maturity (wilting point). The study is to examine farmer’s perception and utilization of Improved Yam Storage technologies in Ovia North East Local Government Area: Specifically, it describes the socioeconomic characteristics of yam farmers, Investigate the utilization of Improved Yam Storage Technology among yam farmers, Ascertain the preferred improved yam storage technologies among farmers in the study areaand Identify constraints associated with the use of improved yam storage technologies in the study area.
A three stage sampling procedure was employed for the random selection of 60 respondents out of the registered farmers in the study area. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean scores and examined relationships between dependent and independent variables of the study using binomial test and logistic regression.
Result of the analysis showed that majority of Yam producers in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State were male (71.7%) and within age bracket of over 45years (40%). Most of the farmers were married (66.7%), predominantly primary School Leaving Certificate holders (25%), farming experience of 1-5years (41.7%) while a large proportion of the yam farmers preferred the use of Improved yam barn (50%) as their choice storage Technologies. The result of the level of utilization of improved yam storage technologies showed that Improved yam barn (=3.27) was most utilized, others include yam storage shed (=3.28), Yam storage structure shelves constructed with ceiba wood (= 2.87), The thatched roof pit (= 2.57), The ventilated pit store (= 2.13), refrigeration/coldroom (= 1.55) and ventilated warehouse with shelves (= 2.35). Also, the observed constraints showed High rate of rodent and high rate of yam loss due to rot were the highest constraints with mean value (=3.83) and (=3.62) respectively. The log likelihood test (X2 = 117.291, P>0.05) was not significant. Furthermore, there was no significant (p>0.05) association existing between farmers age (Odd ratio = 0.505), farming experience (2.189), Household size (0.812) and Educational Status (1.008) on the choice of preferred storage technology. It was therefore recommended that Farmers should be trained on the use of these improved storage technologies and also Extension agents should actively disseminate information on improved storage techniques to yam farmers in the study area through use of mass media and farmer’s groups.
