Impact of Post- Harvest Losses of Rice (Oryza sativa) on Rice Processors Income in Benue State Nigeria

Abstract

This study impact of post harvest losses of rice on rice processors income was conducted in Benue State Nigeria, the objectives were, to describe socio-economic characteristics of rice processors and to determine impact of post-harvest losses on rice processors income. The study employed the use of purposive, multi stage and simple random sampling procedures to select 150 rice processors using Taro Yamane’s proportionate sampling method. Simple descriptive statistics and ordinary least square regression analysis were used for data analyses. The result revealed, mean age of 41 years, 47.33% were married, 44.67% processed between 7 - 10 100kg bags of rice per week. 74.67% attended formal education, 36.67% had experience of between 10-15 years. Result of impact of post harvest losses of riceon rice processors income using ordinary least square regression model revealed that, adj R2 was 0.56 implying that about 56% of the variation in the income of rice processors is associated with the four variables included in the model, 3 variables of processing losses, storage losses and theft were negative and statistically significant at 1% implying that increase in these variables will lead to decrease in the value of the dependent variable income by the magnitude of their coefficients -5332, -3778 and -2217. The study recommends that; improving modern processing facilities, training and technology can significantly reduce post harvest losses by rice processors.Government and NGOs should invest in modern drying facilities; provide training on post harvest management for rice processors and improve transportation network and efficiency.