Assessment of rice farmers’ knowledge and perception of harvest and postharvest losses in Ghana

2018

English

Farmers’ knowledge and perception of harvest and postharvest losses in rice production across three agro-ecological zones of Ghana were examined using farm-level data collected from 108 randomly selected rice farmers. To examine the perception and knowledge of farmers on harvest and postharvest losses, means of a 5-point Likert scale were estimated compared with the values of the individual perception statements. Results indicated that rice production was male-dominated (80%) with an ageing farmer population (42 years on average), smaller farm sizes (~5 acres) with over 70% of farmers formally educated. This suggests the potential and need for mechanised interventions in rice production. Majority of the farmers sampled (over 95%) had experienced and were aware of harvest and postharvest losses in rice. Whereas over 50% of the farmers were cultivating the Jasmine rice variety, it was perceived by over 65% of the farmers to be associated with higher harvesting losses. Mechanical agents such as lack of appropriate harvesting machinery were perceived by over 40% of the farmers to cause harvesting losses. On the method of rice threshing, over 50% of the farmers used combines, 36% used the threshing by impact “bambam” method, 11% bag beating and 2% used mechanical threshers. Rice harvest and postharvest activities constituted 21% of total production cost, while accounting for nearly 20% of total grain loss. It is recommended that aside the mechanised interventions, efforts should be geared towards proper development of rice fields to ensure sustainable production and improved land productivity.

Amponsah, S. K.; Addo, A.; Dzisi, K.; Asante, B.; Afona, D.