**4. Conclusion**

*Maize - Production and Use*

*\* Significant. NSNot significant.*

**Table 3.**

**Level of participation in storage of maize**

*zones (A, B, C and D) of Kogi State, Nigeria.*

**Level of participation in processing of maize**

**Level of participation in grading/sorting/packaging of maize**

**Level of participation in transportation of maize**

**Level of participation in marketing of maize**

**Zones Low Medium High** A 8 15 18 B 3 25 30 C 10 10 12 D 6 12 11

*Chi-square analysis on the level of women participation in post-harvest operations of maize in the various* 

Storage 11.22\* 0.10 Processing 8.99NS 0.10 Grading/sorting/packaging 0.85NS 0.10 Transportation/loading and unloading 13.29\* 0.05 Marketing 16.70\* 0.01

**) value P-value**

**Post-harvest operations Chi-square (X2**

**Zones Low Medium High** A 10 12 6 B 20 18 10 C 20 11 4 D 10 6 4

**Zones Low Medium High** A 13 8 10 B 18 8 10 C 10 6 9 D 13 10 10

**Zones Low Medium High** A 14 11 4 B 15 22 12 C 20 6 8 D 18 6 10

**Zones Low Medium High** A 6 10 20 B 6 18 31 C 10 4 6 D 10 14 13

*Frequency distribution of respondents according to their level of participation in post-harvest operations in the* 

**140**

**Table 2.**

*various zones of Kogi State.*

It can be inferred that there is generally, a high participation of women farmers in the storage of maize in the study area, but low participation in transportation, grading/sorting/packaging and processing of maize were recorded. This could be due to some factors that might have directly or indirectly affected the participation of respondents. The differences that occurred in the level of participation by women in post-harvest management of maize at the various agro-ecological zones of the State because of the peculiarity of the dominance of some post-harvest handling operation in a particular zone. This can be seen as a point to harness and integrate the indigenous knowledge on post-harvest handling of maize from these areas in order to boost their post-harvest activities. Their low level of participation in some of the post-harvest operations could be tied to the fact that they had inadequate access to information and other productive resources. If they have access to productive resources, they could improve their level of participation in post-harvest activities. The adequate knowledge and attitude about the appropriate indigenous post-harvest technology to be used by the farmers for maize in a particular agro-ecology will go a long way to boost farmers' participation in post-harvest management of maize. It is obvious that despite the existence of various improved post-harvest technologies in Nigeria, most of the women in the study area are still glued to some indigenous technologies for the reason that they might have tested and are familiar with these indigenous technologies and perhaps, they have little or no access to the improved or modern ones.

*Maize - Production and Use*
