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Effect of Agricultural Extension on Farmers’ Adoption of Crop Harvest Loss Assessment

Abstract

Crop harvest loss assessment is an important practice that enables farmers to identify, measure, and understand the quantity of agricultural produce lost during harvesting operations. Assessing harvest losses can help farmers identify major sources of loss, improve harvesting methods, reduce unnecessary waste, and enhance the quantity and quality of produce retained after harvest. Agricultural extension can provide farmers with relevant information, technical guidance, and practical demonstrations on methods for identifying and assessing crop harvest losses. The study will examine the effect of agricultural extension on farmers’ adoption of crop harvest loss assessment. Specifically, it will assess farmers’ access to extension information on harvest loss assessment, determine the extent of technical support provided by extension personnel, examine farmers’ level of adoption of crop harvest loss assessment practices, and identify the major factors influencing their adoption. A descriptive survey design will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from selected farmers using a structured questionnaire designed to obtain information on agricultural extension and the adoption of crop harvest loss assessment practices. Appropriate sampling techniques will be used to select respondents, while the collected data will be analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Inferential statistical techniques may also be employed to determine the effect of agricultural extension on farmers’ adoption of crop harvest loss assessment. The study is expected to find that agricultural extension has a positive effect on farmers’ adoption of crop harvest loss assessment practices. Farmers who receive regular extension information, practical demonstrations, technical advice, and follow-up support are expected to show greater understanding and application of methods for assessing harvest losses. However, inadequate extension contact, limited technical knowledge, lack of appropriate assessment tools, labour constraints, and insufficient training may limit adoption among some farmers. The findings are expected to provide useful information for agricultural extension officers, policymakers, agricultural development agencies, farmers’ organizations, and other stakeholders involved in crop production and postharvest management. Improved extension support may strengthen farmers’ ability to identify the causes and extent of harvest losses, enabling them to make informed decisions to improve harvesting operations and reduce avoidable losses. The study will conclude that agricultural extension plays an important role in promoting farmers’ adoption of crop harvest loss assessment practices. It will recommend increased extension visits, practical demonstrations, farmer training, provision of relevant assessment tools, and continuous technical support to improve farmers’ capacity to assess and reduce crop harvest losses.

Keywords: Agricultural extension, farmers’ adoption, crop harvest loss assessment, harvest losses, crop production, postharvest management, agricultural extension services, farmer training, harvesting practices, loss assessment, farm management, agricultural information, postharvest losses, crop harvesting, agricultural development.