THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN IN REDUCING POST HARVEST LOSSES IN CASSAVA PRODUCTION IN ATISBO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE.

Abstract

The study assessed the role of agricultural value chains in reducing post-harvest losses among cassava farmers with specific objectives as to identify the causes of post-harvest losses, examine the role of value chain in reducing post-harvest losses and identify constraints encountered by the farmers in preventing post harvest losses in cassava production. Multi- stage sampling procedure was employed for the selection of one hundred and twenty respondents. Data for the study was collected using structured questionnaire. Frequency, percentages, and means were used to analyze the data. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and factor analysis was used to measure the constraints encountered by the farmers in preventing postharvest loses, the constraints are grouped
into factors such as factors 1: (Financial and extension factor). This has the following loading  variables inadequate finance to attend training on value chain addition (0.757), lack of knowledge on the value chain addition (0.706), poor extension support (0.677) while shortage of packaging materials (0.643) and pest and diseases (0.613). Cassava farmers encountered constraint of finance to attend training on value chain and this might be due to the high fees of attending training and low income from farming. Factor 2: (Harvesting and distance factor); the loading variables under factor 2 (Harvesting and distance factor) include Poor harvesting technique (0.882) and Distance to market (0.835). Poor harvesting technique was another constraint affecting farmers in reducing post-harvest
losses. It recommends that farmers adopt timely harvesting, improved storage, and collective marketing strategies to minimize losses and maximize profitability.