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Effect of Extension Training on Farmers’ Adoption of Improved Yam Storage Techniques

Abstract

Yam is an important food and cash crop that contributes to food security, household income, employment, and rural livelihoods. However, significant quantities of yam can be lost after harvest due to poor storage conditions, physical damage, sprouting, rot, pest infestation, and inadequate handling practices. The adoption of improved yam storage techniques can help farmers preserve the quality and quantity of harvested yam, extend its shelf life, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve returns from yam production. This study will examine the effect of extension training on farmers’ adoption of improved yam storage techniques. It will assess farmers’ exposure to extension training and determine the extent to which such training influences their adoption of recommended yam storage practices. The study will also examine the sources of storage information available to farmers and the challenges affecting their adoption of improved storage techniques. The study will focus on farmers’ adoption of improved practices such as proper harvesting and handling, sorting and grading, curing, appropriate storage structures, adequate ventilation, proper stacking, moisture management, protection from pests and diseases, regular inspection, sprout management, and appropriate storage duration. It will also consider farmers’ participation in extension training programmes, frequency of training, practical demonstrations, and access to technical information on yam storage management. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from yam farmers using structured questionnaires designed to measure their exposure to extension training and adoption of improved yam storage techniques. The data will be analysed using descriptive statistics, adoption-level assessment, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to determine the relationship between extension training and farmers’ adoption of improved storage practices. The study is expected to reveal that farmers who receive regular and relevant extension training may demonstrate greater adoption of improved yam storage techniques. Training and practical demonstrations may improve farmers’ knowledge and application of proper handling, storage structures, ventilation, stacking, pest control, and sprout management practices. However, inadequate storage facilities, limited access to training, financial constraints, availability of storage materials, and insufficient technical support may continue to affect adoption. The study will be useful to yam farmers, agricultural extension agents, farmer organisations, agricultural development agencies, policymakers, non-governmental organisations, and researchers. It may provide useful information for improving extension training programmes and promoting practical storage technologies among yam farmers. The findings may also contribute to efforts aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, maintaining yam quality, extending storage periods, improving food availability, and increasing farmers’ income. The study concludes that extension training is an important avenue for promoting farmers’ adoption of improved yam storage techniques and strengthening post-harvest management. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension agencies provide regular, practical, and farmer-oriented training on improved yam storage methods. Farmers should also be encouraged to participate actively in extension programmes and adopt appropriate storage technologies to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the economic value of yam production.

Keywords: Extension training, farmers’ adoption, yam storage, improved storage techniques, yam farmers, agricultural extension, post-harvest management, yam preservation, storage structures, post-harvest losses, ventilation, pest control, sprout management, agricultural training, food security.