| dc.description.abstract | Maize storage management plays a great role in controlling shortage of maize grains. Maize being a stable food is depended by two thirds of the Kenyan population. This study covers the influence of maize storage management among small scale farmers on the level of maize quality. Level of maize quality means maize shortage in the study, while maize storage management means storage methods for maize grains. The study was carried out in Turbo division, Uasin Gishu County in Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: To establish the influence of moisture content on levels of maize quality among small scale farmers in Turbo, to establish the influence of rodents on levels of maize quality among small scale farmers in Turbo, to determine the influence of insect pest on levels of maize quality among small scale farmers in Turbo division and to establish the influence of maize storage management on levels of maize quality in Turbo division. The study adopted a descriptive survey design which uses words to describe the population by giving complete and detailed information of the phenomena being studied. The target population in this study was 1000 small scale farmers in Turbo division who was stratified into three locations which are Kamagut, Sugoi, and Tapsagoi. The sample size selected from the target population was 300 small scale farmers. The researcher employed simple random sampling technique to select sample size. The research used research questionnaires and interview schedule to collect data from the respondents. Data collected was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences version 18. Correlation table was drawn to show relationship between maize storage management and levels of maize quality. The findings showed that majority of the respondents 88% were of the opinion that poorly aerated storage bags influences moisture content in stored grains, 86% of them and similar percentage said that high moisture content agitates mould growth in maize grain and causes afflotoxin and mycotoxin contamination. The findings further indicated that 94% of the respondents were of the opinion that rodents reduce the quantity and quality of maize grains. Also a majority of the respondents 94% agreed with the fact that larger grain borer and weevils reduce quality and quantity of maize grain, 92% of them were of the opinion that lack of storage technology among small scale farmers lead to high insect pest infestation in maize grain. Finally, the findings on the influence of storage method on maize production among small scale farmers showed that good storage practices limit maize shortage as represented by 90% of respondents who were in agreement. Based on these findings, the study concluded that: poorly aerated storage bags influences moisture content in stored grains, rodents reduce the quantity and quality of maize grains. It is also conclusive that larger grain borer and weevils reduce quality and quantity of maize grain. The study concludes further that good storage practices limit maize shortage. The researcher made the following recommendations: The farmers in Turbo division need to adopt proper and modernized aerated storage bags on their grains to minimize the changes of grains being damage due to dampness as high moisture content in maize influence the development of microorganisms which eventually cause maize losses and contaminations, the farmers also need to developed proper ways of keeping away rodents in the stores as rodents are known to be the greatest destructors of the stored grains, lager insects which also damage the grains in store should be eliminated as much as possible. The study also recommends that modern and sophisticated storage methods such as use of Storage cribs purposefully designed and properly positioned to help in drying of grains in the store. The study successfully met its objectives and it was also found out that there is significant relationship between maize storage and food security | en_US |
