Abstract

Maize grains constitute the primary sources of food for mankind and a considerable waste of these valuable foods during pre and post-harvest constitute such a major agricultural bottleneck that the reduction of pre and post-harvest losses is now a common food strategy throughout the world. This study was focused on post-harvest food losses reduction in maize production in Nigeria. The study was aimed at identifying the causes of losses during post-harvest and to suggest ways of preventing the identified causes. Review was made economic importance, varieties, soil and climatic requirement, processing and storage of maize.  It also sought solutions to some of the identified problems. It was revealed from the study that the fields where the crops are grown among others were identified as sources of insect infestation of stored maize grains; this result in poor quality and loss in market value of the grains. It was established from the study that susceptibility of the grains to attack by insects is determined by their water activity hence, long-term storage; grain must be dried to safe moisture content. In order to minimize these problems of food losses in maize production, harvesting methods be improved upon as to reduce grain losses due to injury which attract insects.  Warehouses should be constructed to specification for effective storage of grains, stored products chemicals manufacturing company should be set up in Nigeria while research work must be encouraged through funding by Government and non governmental organizations.

Key words: Post-harvest, maize grain, food losses, pest, moisture content, storage.