INFLUENCE OF POSTHARVEST CHALLENGES FACED ON INCOME OF ACHA FARMERS IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Acha is widely grown in Plateau State where it provides food, income and employment for many farmers. However, there are postharvest challenges associated with its cultivation which have implications on their income. This study examined the effects that acha postharvest challenges have on the income of acha farmers in Plateau State. The population of this study comprised all the registered acha farmers in two of the three agricultural zones in Plateau State. The two zones are Plateau North and Plateau Central with an estimated 3,143 registered acha farmers according to Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP). Of the population, 400 acha farmers were randomly selected. The study adopted semi-structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Data were analysed with frequencies and percentages while the assumption was analyzed with the use of Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Findings showed that the main post-harvest challenges facing the farmers were high cost of transportation (95.7%), inadequate harvesting equipment and high cost of labour (93.6%), low quality packaging sacks and lack of access to improved processing equipment (90.5%). On income, 31.5% earned between 41,000 -60,000 while 30.5% earned 81,000 and above. PPMC analysis indicated that challenges faced during threshing and packaging had inverse significant relationship with income of the farmers. The study thus concluded that challenges faced during threshing and packaging adversely affected income of the farmers. Therefore, special extension intervention is needed to assist the farmers to overcome challenges facing acha farmers during threshing and packaging of acha in Plateau State.