Abstract:
The study determined the storage management strategies influence on postharvest cereal loss in
Wikililye Location of Kitui County. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire on343
households selected through systematic sampling method using population proportionate to size approach to select
the actual number of respondents for each village. Focus Group Discussions and Key Informants purposively
sampled were used to obtain qualitative data. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics and presented using
tables and verbatim narratives. The findings revealed that majority (62%) of the respondents experienced postharvest
cereal loss while a significant number (34%) did not. The study sought to determine the mode of storage currently
utilized by the respondents and the findings indicated the majority (72%) utilized gunny bags. Knowledge of any
form of improved storage facilities showed that majority (77%) of the respondents were aware of improved storage
methods but only 35% did not experience loss. On the use of improved storage system to reduce postharvest cereal
loss the study revealed that an overwhelming majority (92%) of the households utilize traditional mode of storage
and experienced cereal loss. Only (8%) of the respondents had adopted improved methods and majority (76%) of
those who had adopted did not experience cereal loss. Awareness of improved storage facilities did not result in
reduced postharvest cereal loss. However, a significant reduction of postharvest loss was reported by the respondents
who utilized improved storage facilities. Storage facilities are thus significant determinants of household postharvest
cereal loss. The study recommends that in addition to increasing awareness of the existence of improved storage
facilities, they should be made available and affordable or economically attainable to small scale farmers and
households.
