An Assessment of Onion Post Harvest Loss in Desert Prone Front Line Area of Kano State Nigeria

Most of the farmers in Kura local government area bring onions directly to the market after harvest as proper storage facilities are not available with them. It is against this, farmers usually unload their entire stock within a month of harvest, during which prices are very low thereby making them to be at the last receiving end. The objective of this research is to identify the causes of onions post-harvest losses, indigenous technologies used for Onion storage and to design and develop natural ventilated Onion storage structured model using local resources. Mixed methods were employed through the use of a structured questionnaire encompassing both open and close-ended questions as well interview. The population of the study consist of the Onion farmers in the three (3) major onion production communities at which 254 farmers were selected. The study reveals that the most constraining factor with almost 75% is inadequate storage facilities. It also disclosed that the present storage structure is hanging method, spreading on the floor mud and traditional silos (Rumbu). It was concluded that natural ventilated onion storage structure (Makani model) should be developed in order to provide good ventilated condition which will reduce the rotting losses. Therefore, the study recommends that government and private organization should assist the cultivars with modern onion storage facilities to avoid further post-harvest loss. Keywords: Onions; Kura; production; post harvest loss DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-4-0

Effects of Demographic Characteristics for Farmers’ to Climate Change in Bunkure, Nigeria

This study examine the effects of demographic characteristics on farmers’ level of awareness to climate change in Bunkure, Nigeria. The study hypothesized that, there is no significant relationship between farmers’ demographic characteristics and level of awareness to climate change. Survey design approach was adopted using primary data source. A total of three hundred and fourty-seven (347) farmers were selected purposively. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistic and ANOVA. The study revealed that majority of the farmers in the area are males that fall within the active age bracket due. However, the study concluded that the greater the size of the household the greater the chances of being engaged in farming and more aware on climate change effects. It was revealed that those that attend tertiary education do not participate in farming activities. Also large number of the respondents were aware that climate is changing through the educative programmes of mass media. The study recommended that, adequate support should be given to female to participate in all agricultural activities. Educated persons should be encourage to participate more on agriculture. More emphasis on dissemination of climate change issues on adaptation strategies through the mass media is also highly needed