Assessing the maize post-harvest losses in Goma sub-county

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing maize post-harvest losses in Goma sub-county. Onaverage,farmersproduce15.2bagsperseasonwithaveragelossesof1.1 bags.82.5% ofthefarmersharvestedtheirmaizeontime, 72.5%reported that they harvestedtheirmaizewhenthereisrainfallordampness,causingdifficulty indrying. Allthe farmersreported using sundrying methodfortheirmaize.Theharvestedgrainis spreadthinly andevenly directly underthesunonTarpaulinwith(90%) or (10%) bare ground.Mostfarmers(92.5%)usetheir handstoshellthemaizeand 82.5% usestoresas storage structures ,70%ofthefarmers addinsectprotectantstotheirgrainbefore storage,theyreporteddrying(31.9%)asthemainpointwherethemaizelosses intensify;thiswasfollowedbystorageandharvesting (25.5%).Intermsofquantitativeloss,most farmersreportedPestattack (47.5%)asthemaincauseofreductioninquantityoftheirmaize;this wasfollowedby Moldcontamination (20%),rottingandimproperdrying (10%). Intermsofqualitative loss,mostfarmersreported mold contamination (42.5%)andpoor drying (37.5%)asthemain causesinthe reductioninquality ofmaizelastseason.Thelackofappropriateandfeasibletechnologies coupled with thepooroperationalskillsofusersare themainconstraintsto thereductionof post-harvestlossesinthemaize.The study recommends that the government through agricultural programs should provide insect protectants to farmers to use during storage of maize in addition to providing extension services to guide famers on proper use of inputs given. Moreemphasis should alsobeputonpost-harvesthandling trainings toensurethat lossesthatresult from poorpost-harvest handlingof maize arereduced.