The Position of Rural Farmer’s Agricultural Storage Facilities for Yam Tuber Preservation in Ebonyi State

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the position of Agricultural storage facilities available for storing yam tubers in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. Ebonyi State is one of the states in the South Eastern Geo-political zone of the country. The design of the study is descriptive survey research design. The study has a population of eight thousand, four hundred and thirty (8,430) rural farmers, sample for the study was one hundred and fifty (150) rural farmers. Random sampling technique was used in selecting 150 rural farmers in the State. Structured questionnaire was used and administered on the sample. One hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires was completed and returned. The data collected was analyzed using means and standard deviation. The result show that only Ban, underground pits, shades, leaves, grasses among others were used in storing yam tubers, which was traditional system. That huge economic loss are incurred by rural farmers, since, such materials have no protective value against, insects, fungi, Nematodes, virus, bad weather, bacteria attack. That rural farmer has no alternative than to use them since Educational development, technological innovation and scientific approach have not produced or developed yam tuber storage facilities. That will be used by the rural farmers in storing their yam tubers in Ebonyi State.

DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n5p155