ASSESSMENT OF POST-HARVEST LOSSES OF YAM (Dioscorea spp.)IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF KARU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE

The aim of this study is to introduce a method for the direct assessment of post-harvest losses in yam caused by rodents. Key informants comprising practicing yam farmers; the agriculture extension workers were selected for a Focus Group Discussion. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data, and the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) measured precision of respondent noted to have given a specific response. The daily yam requirements of the trapped rodents in the weight class were determined by measuring the actual amounts consumed by representative samples of captive rodents in cages. The study reveals that the major causes of post-harvest losses of yam is basically poor storage (17.7-54.7% CI) and to a lesser extent post-harvest handling of yam (10.2-24% CI). Analysis of variance shows that there is relationship between the yams sold, stored, processed and consumed, indicating increasing demand for the yam (Dioscorea spp.); the 10.5kg of yam lost to rodents during storage called for concern, this has resulted to both qualitative and quantitative losses. The study recommended investment in post-harvest storage processing technologies; education as well as proper method of controlling rodents that destroy yam tubers in storage.