Socio-Economic Analysis of Rice Postharvest System among Rice Producers in the North and South of Sierra Leone

Abstract

This study examined the socio-economic characteristic of rice farmers and post-harvest losses of rice at three different stages (harvesting, threshing and milling) at selected Agricultural Business Centers (ABCs). Multistage sampling technique was used to select 150 rice farmers’ household from major rice producing Agricultural Business Centers (ABCs) in the North and South of Sierra Leone. Results from the study showed 71% of the rice farmers cultivated between 1 and 3 hectares; 66% had farming experience of over 30 years. Ironically, 99% endured post-harvest losses, ranging from 7 to 25%, with threshing losses accounting for 25%, on per capita basis. Average income per farmer stood at Le 511,584.000 /Ha. The ordinary least squares regression estimates shows threshing losses and household sizes were significant determinants of rice farmers’ income at 1% and 5% probability level respectively, while the analysis of constraints revealed that lack of harvesting equipment constituted the main challenge to rice post-harvest loss mitigation, as affirmed by 92.50% of the respondents. The study concluded that threshing losses had adverse effect on rice farmers’ income and consequently threshing losses has a negative influence on rice farmers’ income in the study areas. Losses from this source also constituted the bulk of losses encountered by rice farmers representing average of 25% of post-harvest losses, while the lack of processing equipment hindered processing operations. It is recommended that mechanization of the postharvest activities, providing technical knowhow and access to financial resources to acquire appropriate inputs could help reduce loses in rice production.