Engineering Solutions for Post-Harvest Loss Reduction in the Nigerian Yam Value Chain

This study identifies and evaluates engineering solutions for reducing post-harvest losses in the Nigerian yam value chain, examining loss magnitudes at each chain stage and the technical feasibility of targeted interventions. Nigeria produces approximately 70 percent of world yam output, yet post-harvest losses of 30 to 50 percent significantly undermine the economic returns of this major crop. Engineering interventions including improved storage structures, handling equipment, and processing technologies offer significant loss reduction potential, but their systematic evaluation at scale has been limited. This study uses a value chain loss assessment approach, quantifying losses at production, farm storage, transportation, wholesale handling, and retail stages across 10 yam-producing local government areas in Benue, Oyo, and Taraba States. Engineering intervention options are assessed for each loss stage using technical performance, cost-effectiveness, and scalability criteria. A survey of 80 value chain actors documents willingness to invest in loss reduction technologies. Findings reveal that farm storage and transportation account for 62 percent of total chain losses. Low-cost ventilated barns reduce storage losses by 45 percent compared to traditional structures. Padded packaging using agro-waste cushioning materials reduces transport damage by 38 percent. The study concludes that targeted engineering interventions at the farm storage and transportation stages offer the highest return on post-harvest loss reduction investment. It recommends a national yam post-harvest engineering programme.

Keywords: post-harvest losses, yam value chain, engineering solutions, Nigeria, storage technology.