Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (SJHSS)
Volume-2 | Issue-10 | 974-983
Review Article
Post-Harvest Challenges of Food Crops in Jakairi Sub-Division, Cameroon- A Threat to Food security
Kometa Sunday Shende, Yiven Bernadine Lifeter
Published : Oct. 30, 2017
Abstract
In Less Economically advanced nations, more than half of their
populations live in rural areas and majority depend on agriculture for survival.
Post- harvest food loss in Africa represents a multi-faceted challenge that reduces
the income of approximately 470 million farmers. Agriculture plays a key role in
the overall economic performance of Jakiri Sub Division, in terms of its
contribution to food, source of livelihood and in providing employment. Using
secondary and primary data, participatory approaches through field observation,
questionnaires and interviews, this study investigates post-harvest options of
farmers in Jakiri Sub-Division. Results revealed that agricultural production
techniques have evolved and improved over the years, however very little has been
done to improve post-harvest management. Findings equally showed that Postharvest options of farmers are inadequate due to a complexity of reasons such as
the absence of sufficient technologies/infrastructures, inadequate capital and
technical knowhow and above all refusal to adopt appropriate techniques.
Consequently this results in large quantities of harvested food produce being lost
thereby representing a waste of time, effort and resources. Overcoming these socioeconomic constraints through the development of infrastructures, increased training
and sensitization of the local population is an important step in achieving food
security and also it would go a long way to increase the efficiency of resources
used in food production.