Abstract

Global efforts in the fight against hunger, improving food security and to raise farmers’ income especially in the world’s poorest countries has led to the prioritization of postharvest food losses. It is in the light of the foregoing, that this study seeks to evaluate post-harvest losses and its concomitant influence on welfare of Yam producers in Ukum LGA, Benue State, Nigeria. Using descriptive analysis, inferential statistics and Ordinary Least Squares as evaluation techniques, the study found out that inadequacy of storage facilities for farmers, insufficient pests and diseases control measures among others are the major constraints facing farmers in their efforts to control post-harvest losses. Empirical result equally revealed that post-harvest losses hurt the income of farmers and consequently their welfare. To this end, the study suggested that adequate training of farmers on post-harvest crop handling techniques as well as the provision of good storage facilities that has the capacity to help in preventing crop losses especially at the farm level.