Abstract:
Food security in food-deficit countries in sub-Saharan Africa remains a big challenge.
Yet, a large volume of food, valued in excess of USD 4 billion (grain alone), is harvested
each year. The United Nations predicts that 1.3 billion tons of food produced is lost
globally. This happens during post-harvest operations every year in a world where over
870 million people go hungry. In Kenya, 30-40% of the total cereals produced yearly are
lost due to post-harvest handling inefficiencies, which impact negatively on farmer’s food
security. Despite the recorded continued post-harvest cereal loss (PHL), which is an
important and complementary factor to food security, hunger and malnutrition, it has not
received the required attention. Specifically, in Wikililye Location factors influencing
households post-harvest cereal loss are not documented. Studies done have concentrated
on the effect of aflatoxins on maize. Therefore, this study sought to determine the socioeconomic, perceptions on environmental influence and post-harvest management
strategies (storage) factors influencing household post-harvest cereal loss in the study
area. The specific objectives of this study were: describe the socio-economic factors
influencing household post-harvest cereal loss; examine the influence of the farmers’
perception of environmental factors on household post-harvest cereal loss; and influence
of post-harvest management strategies on post-harvest cereal loss. The study was guided
by the Adoption Theory. The study used a cross-sectional descriptive research design.
The study focused on households in Wikililye location. The target population was 3,149
households. Consequently, a sample size of 343 was determined using the Raosoft
software. A mixed method approach was employed, which allowed the use of various
complementary methods to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. A semistructured questionnaire was administered to 343 households that were systematically
sampled; four key informants’ interviews and four focus group discussions were
conducted with informants who were purposively selected. In addition, direct
observations were made on the household cereal storage facilities. Statistical Packages
for Social Science (SPSS) version 24 was used to analyze quantitative data. Descriptive
statistics were generated and data are presented in tables as frequencies and percentages.
Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and are presented in form of narratives and
verbatim quotations. Findings of the study revealed that 63% of the households in the
study area experienced cereal loss. The main social economic factors that influence postharvest cereal loss include gender, age, level of education, marketing of cereals and
alternative source of income. Factors like land size and source of livelihood also
influenced household post-harvest cereal loss. The results reveal that only a small
number of informants 4% perceive environmental issues as significant factors impacting
on household post-harvest cereal loss. The study recommends that socio-economic issues
need to be addressed if post-harvest cereal loss in Wikililye is to be reduced.
Specifically, equal training opportunities should be availed to both men and women to
allow them to gain knowledge on effective post-harvest loss mitigation practices.
Finally, the dormant storage facilities for the communal storage system should be revived
because they will contribute in reducing post-harvest loss.