The Food Safety Practices of Maize Farmers in Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluated food safety practices of maize farmers in Taraba state, Nigeria. The objectives were to: ascertain maize farmers’ food safety practices; identify sources of information on food safety; identify the constraints to food safety practices and to determine factors influencing food safety practices of maize farmers. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select one-hundred and fifty six respondents from six local government areas of Taraba State. Results were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean and multiple regression model finding revealed that 56.4% of the respondents were males, 35.9% were between the ages of 28 and 37 and had the annual income of ?123,108.87. Use of organic agricultural methods in maize production, not drying of maize on dirty/filthy tarpaulins were among food safety practices of the farmers. Poor enforcement of food safety policies ( =2.13) was a constraints to food safety practices. Age and farm size were found to be factors influencing food safety practices of the respondents. The farmers faced constraints implementation proper procedures in their production, storage and processing activities. The study recommended that the government set up initiatives to educate farmers about food safety and give them access to loans.