Survey of Post-Harvest Handling Practices for Yam in Benue State

Yam is a culturally and economically significant crop in Nigeria's Middle Belt, and post-harvest handling practices at the farm and market levels in Benue State significantly determine the quality and shelf life of tubers available to consumers. This study surveyed post-harvest handling practices for yam (Dioscorea rotundata) among farmers and traders in Gboko, Ushongo, and Kwande LGAs of Benue State, North Central Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were administered to 80 yam farmers and 40 market traders. Assessment covered harvest methods, field curing duration, storage structure type, stacking practices, and loss estimation. Field visits observed storage conditions at 30 farms and 15 market storage sites. Results showed that 72.5 percent of farmers harvested yam at full physiological maturity, while 27.5 percent harvested early for market price reasons. Field curing for 3 to 7 days before storage was practised by 61.3 percent of farmers. Traditional yam barns were the dominant storage structure (78.8 percent), while only 12.5 percent used ventilated sheds. Estimated post-harvest storage losses averaged 28.3 percent over a 6-month storage period. Stacking more than two yams high was associated with increased bruising and rot. Traders reported monthly loss rates of 15 to 25 percent. The study recommends improved barn construction guidelines, mandatory curing of surface wounds before storage, and market-level training on stacking and handling standards for yam preservation in Benue State.

Keywords: yam post-harvest, handling practices, storage losses, Benue State, yam quality