ABSTRACT
The study analyzed the Post-Harvest Handling Information Sources Among Small Scale Maize Farmers In Edo State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examined the social-economic characteristics of small farmers in the study area; ascertained respondents participation in maize post-harvest handling activities; examined respondents access and utilization of information sources in maize post harvest handling; identified constraints faced by respondents in accessing post-harvest handling information.
Data was collected using a two stage sampling technique to sample 180 respondents from Ikpoba-Okha L.G.A in the study area. Data collected were analyzed with multiple and linear regression model and described with descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation for appropriate variables.
Findings from the study showed that majority (55.7%) were female . Maize production in the senatorial zone was mainly dominated by the married class (82.0%). The farmers mainly had secondary education (36.5%). Majority (46.7%) of maize farmers had farming experience between 6-10years. The findings also show that large proportion of farmers had households size of between 6-10 persons and they made use hired labor labour (60.5%) on their farms. A higher proportion (34.1%) of the farmers dedicated 11-20% of their farm land for maize cultivation. The major constraint affecting the sourcing and adoption of maize post-harvest information handlings are cost of information access(mean=3.15), poor extension contacts(mean=3.41) ,high cost of information gadgets(mean=3.54), poor road networks(3.72) and lack of funds(3.41)
The study showed that maize farmers were still young and active with reasonable proportions having non-formal education and high household size. The farming experience was quite high and their production capacity was estimated to be above 500kg per annum. Maize production was done together with other crops such as cassava, yam and vegetables under mixed crops as only few dedicated over 50% of their farmland to maize production. Farmers communicate through their fellow farmers as using their personal experience, though TV, radio and television were accessible by the farmers but they only recorded high usage in telephone . Age , marital, status, household size and quantity of maize produced as well as farmers perception significantly determined their participation in post harvest handling activities.
