Adoption of Improved Post-Harvest Technologies and Smallholder Maize Performance: Evidence from Southwest Nigeria

Post-harvest losses persistently constrain maize productivity and household welfare among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, yet rigorous evidence on improved post-harvest technologies in local contexts remains scarce. This study examines the effect of adopting mechanical shellers and hermetic storage bags on farm performance among smallholder maize farming households in Akoko North-East Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. Using cross-sectional data from 120 maize farming households selected through multistage sampling, the study employs Probit regression, Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) to control for observable and unobservable selection biases. Findings reveal a moderate adoption rate of 42.5%, with mechanical shellers (28.3%) and hermetic storage bags (23.3%) being most prevalent. Education, farming experience, farm size, extension access, credit access, and group membership significantly increase adoption likelihood (p < 0.05). PSM estimates show adopters achieve significantly higher farm income (ATT = ₦154,810; p < 0.05) and lower post-harvest losses (ATT = 7.6 percentage points; p < 0.01) than non-adopters. ESR estimates confirm significant selection bias (ρ = −0.382; p < 0.05) and identify extension access as the strongest performance determinant among adopters (β = 0.218; p < 0.01). The study concludes that improved post-harvest technologies substantively enhance smallholder farm performance by increasing income and reducing losses. To accelerate adoption, strengthening extension services, expanding affordable agricultural credit, and promoting farmer organizations are recommended—interventions that collectively hold potential for improving farm profitability and advancing food security among smallholder maize farming households in Nigeria.