Management of Post-Harvest Grain Storage Facilities and Losses Among Smallholder Farmers in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria

Post-harvest grain storage losses represent a significant economic burden for smallholder farming households in northern Nigeria, eroding income and food security gains from productive seasons. In Kebbi State, traditional storage technologies coexist with modern metal silo programmes, creating a diverse storage management landscape. This study assessed post-harvest grain storage management practices and losses among smallholder farmers in Kebbi State. Sixty-five farming households with grain storage facilities were selected through purposive sampling from three major rice and sorghum producing local government areas. Data on storage structure type, management practices, moisture testing, pest management, and storage losses were collected through structured observation and questionnaires. A storage management quality index was constructed. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were applied. Results indicated that traditional mud and thatch structures had mean grain losses of 24 percent over a six-month storage period, compared to 8 percent for improved metal silos. Pest infestation and moisture-related deterioration were the leading loss causes. Only 18 percent of households using improved silos consistently applied hermetic sealing practices according to recommended guidelines, limiting the full loss reduction potential of the technology. The study recommends prioritising farmer training on hermetic storage management alongside silo distribution programmes in Kebbi State. Keywords: post-harvest storage, grain losses, management practices, Kebbi State, silos.