Aims: The study determined the effect of post-harvest losses of yam on the socio-economic sustenance of farmers in Nasarawa State Nigeria. It also described the socio-economic status of farmers; determined the average quantities of yam lost for the years in review (2014-2018). Study Design: The study employed the use of cross sectional design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Nasarawa state, Nigeria between October 2019 to June 2020. Methodology: Using the multistage sampling technique, data for the study were collected from a sample of three hundred and eighty seven (387) respondents. Results: That majority of the respondents (322) 83%, were male, and within the age range of 31-40 years 158(41%) followed by the age bracket of 41-50: 97(25%); 323(84%) of the respondents were married with average household size of 8.0 persons per household while 87% of the respondents have had one form of formal education or the other. The Ordinary Least Square result of the effect of postharvest losses on the socioeconomic sustenance of the respondents revealed that the coefficient of simple determination (r2) was 0.850which implies that 85.00% of the variations in the socioeconomic sustenance of the respondents was explained by the independent variable included in the model (post-harvest losses) while 15.00% unexplained was due to error. F-prob. value of 0.0000 was observed from the analysis which is less than 0.05, indicating that the variables included in the estimated regression model were correct and significant at 1% significant level. The coefficient of post-harvest losses with the value of (-4.327) was statistically significant and negatively related to the socioeconomic sustenance of the respondents at 1 percent. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a relationship between the post-harvest losses and socioeconomic sustenance of farmers. Therefore, the relevant government and agricultural agencies, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community Based Organizations (CBOs) as well as individuals need to strengthen their effort toward reducing post-harvest losses of yam by educating through demonstration and encouraging farmer to use modern technologies and materials in yam storage.

The study evaluated the income and postharvest losses of yam in Nasarawa State Nigeria from 2014 to 2018. The study employed the use of cross sectional design. The study was conducted in Nasarawa state, Nigeria between October 2019 and June 2020. Data for the study were collected using multistage sampling technique from a sample of three hundred and eighty seven (387) respondents. The result showed that majority of the respondents (322) 83%, were male, and within the age range of 31-40 years 158(41%) followed by the age bracket of 41-50: 97(25%); 323(84%) of the respondents were married with average household size of 8.0 persons per household while 87% of the respondents have had one form of formal education or the other. The spearman correlation matrix showing the relationship between the income and post-harvest losses of the farmers further revealed that there is a significant relationship between income and postharvest losses of yam farmers in the studied area. Coefficient of determination (R square) value was 0.922 with a P value of 0.00. The result reveals a significant and strong positive correlation betweenthe income and post-harvest losses of the farmers. The study thus concluded that most of the respondents were high income earners but suffer post-harvest losses throughout yam production chain in various measures. The extent of losses differs from farmer to farmer but does not differ in the communities sampled in the study area.

Tivland is not developed. About 70% of 3.9 million population in Tivland are smallholder farmers and micro-entrepreneurs who are funded by informal self-help financial groups (ISHFGs), which are not supported by external funding. Using in-depth interviews and participant observation methods, the study sought to identify the major types of ISHFGs in Tivland, how they generate funds, how they are sustained, their role in micro-enterprise development, and their challenges. The study revealed that there are three major types of ISHFGs in Tivland. They generate funds through savings deposits and interests on loans. They are sustained by group trust/cohesion. They have created easy access to micro-credit, and have empowered members for in income generating activities. Their major challenges are limited funds, bad leadership, no networks and external funding. The study concludes that ISHFGs in Tivland need networks for external funding, management/leadership trainings and close monitoring and evaluation of their operations.

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Abstract:- Tivland is not developed. About 70% of 3.9 million population in Tivland are small-holder farmers and micro-entrepreneurs who are funded by informal self-help financial groups (ISHFGs), which are not supported by external funding. Using in-depth interviews and participant observation methods, the study sought to identify the major types of ISHFGs in Tivland, how they generate funds, how they are sustained, their role in micro-enterprise development, and their challenges. The study revealed that there are three major types of ISHFGs in Tivland. They generate funds through savings deposits and interests on loans. They are sustained by group trust/cohesion. They have created easy access to micro-credit, and have empowered members for in income generating activities. Their major challenges are limited funds, bad leadership, no networks and external funding. The study concludes that ISHFGs in Tivland need networks for external funding, management/leadership trainings and close monitoring and evaluation of their operations