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| Use of New Technologies In Post Harvest Handling Of Maize In Mwenge North County Kyenjojo District
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Kamugisa Gerald , Mr. Tukamuhebwa Deus , Dr Ariyo Gracious Kazaara , Kobusigye prudence , Kamugisha Nelson , Friday Christopher , Mutesi Catherine
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Abstract:
Utilizing new technologies during the post-harvest handling of maize is primarily done to meet market and consumer expectations for volume, quality, and other product and transaction attributes like nutrition, food security, and product safety while making sure that the harvested product reaches the consumer. The majority of farmers, according to the study's findings, have access to information primarily through the media, extension agents, and academic facilities, which has highlighted their level of awareness. Most farmers are aware of shelling, processing, and a few drying technologies. The majority of respondents also valued the financial viability of the technologies for milling and shelling when it came to hiring, even though having purchased personal technologies is very expensive. As an outcome of the results, we reject the null hypothesis and arrive at the conclusion that processing technology significantly affected post-harvest handling since t-computed (1.980) was higher than t-tabulated (0.034). This is due to the fact that at the 95% confidence level, if the tabulated t-value is greater than the threshold value (0.05), we consider the variable to be significant, indicating a significant impact on the dependent variable. Farmers have embraced the usage of these technologies at various phases, such as shelling, where 80% of respondents utilize manual and engine-powered shelling machines. Farmers also use milling hardware to turn their maize into flour for human use and to obtain animal feeds. Farmers face challenges with these technologies because they require technical skills and this limits their use. The cost of acquiring personal technologies like milling machines and maize shellers is very high, making it very expensive to them and limiting their personal ownership of the innovation. Farmers have benefited from using these technologies such as increased grain quality that fetches higher prices in the market and this has contributed to increased household incomes and food security. Subsidizing the cost of the machinery lowers the end price, making technology more affordable for local producers. Other strategies include diversification, which allows farmers to engage in other pursuits once harvesting is complete, and gov't farmer training.
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