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Post-harvest losses reduction by small-scale maize farmers: The role of handling practices

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  • Chegere, Martin Julius

Abstract

Concerns about food insecurity have grown in Sub-Saharan Africa due to rapidly growing population and food price volatility. Post-harvest Losses (PHL) reduction has been identified as a key component to complement efforts to address food security challenges and improve farm incomes, especially for the rural poor. This study analyses the role of recommended post-harvest handling practices in PHL reduction; and conducts a cost-benefit analysis of adopting practices associated with lower losses. The study finds that maize farmers lose about 11.7 percent of their harvest in the post-harvest system. About two-thirds of this loss occurs during storage. The study shows that adoption of recommended post-harvest handling practices is highly correlated with lower PHL. Lastly the study finds that the cost of implementing some of the recommended practices outweighs the benefits associated with lower PHL. It then discusses the reasons why some farmers may not adopt some of the practices and points out some contributions to the literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Chegere, Martin Julius, 2018. "Post-harvest losses reduction by small-scale maize farmers: The role of handling practices," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 103-115.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:77:y:2018:i:c:p:103-115
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.05.001
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    5. Kotykova, Olena & Babych, Mykola & Pohorielova, Olena, 2020. "Втрати Продовольства Та Харчові Відходи В Ланцюзі Створення Вартості Продовольства В Україні," Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, Agricultural and Resource Economics: International Scientific E-Journal, vol. 6(3), September.
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    7. Yi Luo & Dong Huang & Laping Wu & Junfeng Zhu, 2022. "The impact of metal silos on rice storage and storage losses in China," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(1), pages 81-92, February.
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    12. Stratica, Cristian & Harou, Aurelie P., 2021. "Postharvest behaviour of smallholder farmers in Malawi," 2021 Annual Meeting, August 1-3, Austin, Texas 314022, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
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    14. Chegere, Martin Julius & Eggert, Håkan & Söderbom, Måns, 2019. "The Effects of Storage Technology and Training on Post-Harvest Losses: Evidence from Small-Scale Farms in Tanzania," EfD Discussion Paper 19-10, Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg.
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