The effect of post-harvest handling technologies on maize farmer's income in Kakumiro District: a case study of Nalweyo Sub-County

Abstract

Maize farming plays a crucial role in the agricultural sector and livelihoods of farmers in Kakumiro District. However, the lack of effective postharvest handling practices and technologies hampers the potential income generation and productivity of maize farmers. This study aimed at a understanding the characteristics of maize farmers, the effect of training in postharvest handling technologies on farmer incomes, and the factors influencing the adoption of these technologies is crucial for designing evidence-based strategies and interventions. A total of 60 maize farmers participated with equal numbers from Kyabeya (30) and Masaka (30) parishes. Data was collected using both closed ended open ended questionnaires. Data was entered into Microsoft excel and exported to STATA Version 11 for further analysis. Descriptive statistics were obtained to characterize farmers while Ordinary Least Squares was run to establish the effects of training on incomes as well as factors that influence adoption of the post-harvest handling technologies at 95% confidence level. The study revealed significant insights into the demographic characteristics of maize farmers in Kakumiro District. The majority of the participants was male, below 40 years old, and had less than 20 years of experience in maize farming. Additionally, most farmers had attained post-primary education levels, had households with less than 10 members, and cultivated land sizes below 10 acres. Understanding these demographics is crucial for tailoring targeted interventions and extension services to address the specific needs and challenges faced by different farmer groups. The findings strongly indicate that training in post-harvest handling technologies has a significant positive effect on maize farmer's incomes. Farmers who received training reported higher maize production and consequently increased their incomes compared to those who had not been trained. There were several factors influencing the adoption of improved post-harvest handling technologies among maize farmers. Gender, age, marital status, farming experience, education, household size, landholding, harvest size, training, and access to storage facilities were all determinants of technology adoption. Given the positive impact of training on maize farmer's incomes, it is recommended to design and implement targeted training programs focused on post-harvest handling technologies.