Analysis of Postharvest Stressor and Poverty Status of Amaranthus Farmers in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyzed the postharvest stressor and poverty status of Amaranthus processors in Niger State. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select respondents for the study. First Stage involved purposive selection of two LGA each from the three agricultural Zones in the state, due to its prevalence in Amaranthus processing activities. Second stage involved random selection of five communities where Amaranthus processing is dominant, third stage employed Taro Yamane`s formula (n=N/(1+N(e)2) to calculate the sample size of the respondents. Total of 100 respondents was used for the study. Data were collected using computer assisted personal interview. Mean age of respondents was 38 years. 88.0% were female, Majority about 94.3% were married and 62.7% have house size of about 10. However, 60.1% have farming experience in Amaranthus processing and about 58.8% have basic education. Mean income generated was ₦ 710,307.00.  Processors’ poverty status in the study area were analyzed using FGT. The total per capital expenditure per year was ₦ 22,591,331.78 while the mean per capital expenditure per year was ₦ 99,084.79. The poverty line used was ₦ 66,056.53. Stakeholders and other agencies should assist farmers through the period of epidemics with relief and technologies to thrive in their production.