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Low permeability triple-layer plastic bags prevent losses of maize caused by insects in rural on-farm stores

Author

Listed:
  • Jeremiah Ng’ang’a

    (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
    International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology)

  • Christopher Mutungi

    (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
    Egerton University)

  • Samuel M. Imathiu

    (Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology)

  • Hippolyte Affognon

    (International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology
    International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT))

Abstract

Participatory on-farm trials were conducted to assess effectiveness of Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS™) bags for storage of maize in small-scale farmers’ stores in rural villages in eastern Kenya. A PICS bag is a three-layered hermetic bag-system that forms a barrier against the influx of oxygen and the escape of carbon dioxide. Jute, woven polypropylene or PICS bags were filled with shelled maize grain, purchased from the participating farmers, and the three sets of bags kept in the farmers’ own stores for 35 weeks. Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the PICS bags were monitored, as well as the temperature and relative humidity in all the bags. Grain moisture, live insect population, grain damage and weight loss were examined at intervals of seven weeks. Oxygen and carbon dioxide composition demonstrated that PICS bags are capable of sustaining good air-barrier properties under farmer storage conditions. Moreover, moisture content of maize stored in PICS bags did not change throughout the storage period whereas the moisture content of maize stored in polypropylene and jute bags decreased significantly in the final 14 weeks. Maize stored in PICS bags remained free from insect infestation and the weight loss due to insect damage was below 1 %. On the contrary, polypropylene and jute bags permitted profuse build-up of insect populations. At 35 weeks, grain damage reached 77.6 % and 82.3 % corresponding to 41.2 % and 48.5 % weight loss in the polypropylene and jute bags respectively. These findings demonstrate that PICS bags are effective in controlling losses caused by storage pests under farmer storage conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremiah Ng’ang’a & Christopher Mutungi & Samuel M. Imathiu & Hippolyte Affognon, 2016. "Low permeability triple-layer plastic bags prevent losses of maize caused by insects in rural on-farm stores," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(3), pages 621-633, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:8:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s12571-016-0567-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-016-0567-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gitonga, Zachary M. & De Groote, Hugo & Kassie, Menale & Tefera, Tadele, 2013. "Impact of metal silos on households’ maize storage, storage losses and food security: An application of a propensity score matching," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 44-55.
    2. Affognon, Hippolyte & Mutungi, Christopher & Sanginga, Pascal & Borgemeister, Christian, 2015. "Unpacking Postharvest Losses in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Meta-Analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 49-68.
    3. Kimenju, Simon Chege & De Groote, Hugo, 2010. "Economic Analysis of Alternative Maize Storage Technologies in Kenya," 2010 AAAE Third Conference/AEASA 48th Conference, September 19-23, 2010, Cape Town, South Africa 96419, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
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    Cited by:

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    7. Jonathan Bauchet & Stacy Prieto & Jacob Ricker‐Gilbert, 2021. "Improved Drying and Storage Practices that Reduce Aflatoxins in Stored Maize: Experimental Evidence from Smallholders in Senegal," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(1), pages 296-316, January.
    8. Kukom Edoh Ognakossan & Hippolyte D. Affognon & Christopher M. Mutungi & Daniel N. Sila & Soul-Kifouly G. Midingoyi & Willis O. Owino, 2016. "On-farm maize storage systems and rodent postharvest losses in six maize growing agro-ecological zones of Kenya," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 8(6), pages 1169-1189, December.

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