Economic evaluation of post harvest investment on maize in Kyaka central, Kyegegwa district

Abstract

x ABSTRACT The major purpose of the study was to evaluate the postharvest investment on maize in Kyaka central, Kyegegwa district. The main objective of this study was to assess the farmer’s investment at postharvest management of maize and its effect on their income. Specifically, the research was to analyse the costs associated with postharvest management in maize enterprise in Kyaka central, Kyegegwa district, and to examine the effect of postharvest expenditure in maize production on farmers’ income in central Kyegegwa. The study relied on primary and secondary data. The study employed quantitative approach, this was used to in determining trends and interpreting research findings. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis were conducted to achieve objectives one and two respectively. The research observed and concluded that male mainly participate in postharvest management of maize compared to the female, the processing and the transportation costs take a large share because drying and threshing are majorly done by all farmers and it’s a must every season likewise transportation of maize is done due to long distances where the farmers grow maize. There is need to transport and extend maize to home for drying and to the market for sale yet the level of maize production was found to be low in the district. The study recommends that farmers should be given loans at a subsidised rate and they should also be sensitized on how to source their maize from cheap sources and establish their own stores to reduce on transport and labor costs thus enhance maize incomes.