IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/ssefpa/v8y2016i3d10.1007_s12571-016-0567-9.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12571-016-0567-9
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s12571-016-0567-9?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    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).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Vanessa Bach & Markus Berger & Natalia Finogenova & Matthias Finkbeiner, 2017. "Assessing the Availability of Terrestrial Biotic Materials in Product Systems (BIRD)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-35, January.
    2. Apurba Shee & Sarah Mayanja & Eria Simba & Tanya Stathers & Aurelie Bechoff & Ben Bennett, 2019. "Determinants of postharvest losses along smallholder producers maize and Sweetpotato value chains: an ordered Probit analysis," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(5), pages 1101-1120, October.
    3. Muhammad A. Bakhtavar & Irfan Afzal & Shahzad M. A. Basra & Abdul Wahid, 2019. "Implementing the ‘dry chain’ during storage reduces losses and maintains quality of maize grain," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(2), pages 345-357, April.
    4. Prieto, Stacy & Bauchet, Jonathan & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob, 2017. "How do improved drying and storage practices influence aflatoxin spread? Evidence from smallholder households in Senegal," 2017 Annual Meeting, July 30-August 1, Chicago, Illinois 258497, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. 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.
    6. Monika Verma & Christine Plaisier & Coen P. A. van Wagenberg & Thom Achterbosch, 2019. "A Systems Approach to Food Loss and Solutions: Understanding Practices, Causes, and Indicators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-22, January.
    7. Ma. Cristine Concepcion D. Ignacio & Kurt A. Rosentrater & Dirk E. Maier, 2023. "Estimating Environmental and Economic Impacts of Hermetic Bag Storage Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-19, October.
    8. 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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Manda, Julius & Feleke, Shiferaw & Mutungi, Christopher & Tufa, Adane H. & Mateete, Bekunda & Abdoulaye, Tahirou & Alene, Arega D., 2024. "Assessing the speed of improved postharvest technology adoption in Tanzania: The role of social learning and agricultural extension services," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    2. repec:lic:licosd:42020 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Kadjo, Didier & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob & Alexander, Corinne, 2015. "Does quality affect maize prices in sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from Benin," 2015 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 26-28, San Francisco, California 205503, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    4. Oluwatoba J. Omotilewa & Dieudonne Baributsa, 2022. "Assessing the Private Sector’s Efforts in Improving the Supply Chain of Hermetic Bags in East Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, October.
    5. Tesfaye, Wondimagegn & Tirivayi, Nyasha, 2018. "The impacts of postharvest storage innovations on food security and welfare in Ethiopia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 52-67.
    6. Dzanku, F.M. & Osei, R.D., 2018. "Impact of pre– and post-harvest training reminders on crop losses and food poverty in Mali," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 275924, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    7. Minten, Bart & Tamru, Seneshaw & Reardon, Thomas, 2021. "Post-harvest losses in rural-urban value chains: Evidence from Ethiopia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    8. Christopher Mutungi & Julius Manda & Shiferaw Feleke & Adebayo Abass & Mateete Bekunda & Irmgard Hoschle-Zeledon & Gundula Fischer, 2023. "Adoption and impacts of improved post-harvest technologies on food security and welfare of maize-farming households in Tanzania: a comparative assessment," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(4), pages 1007-1023, August.
    9. Hugo De Groote & Zachary M. Gitonga & Kai Sonder, 2023. "Maize storage losses, climate, and climate change in Zambia," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(4), pages 879-899, August.
    10. Brander, Michael & Bernauer, Thomas & Huss, Matthias, 2021. "Improved on-farm storage reduces seasonal food insecurity of smallholder farmer households – Evidence from a randomized control trial in Tanzania," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    11. Apurba Shee & Sarah Mayanja & Eria Simba & Tanya Stathers & Aurelie Bechoff & Ben Bennett, 2019. "Determinants of postharvest losses along smallholder producers maize and Sweetpotato value chains: an ordered Probit analysis," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 11(5), pages 1101-1120, October.
    12. Didier Kadjo & Jacob Ricker‐Gilbert & Tahirou Abdoulaye & Gerald Shively & Mohamed N. Baco, 2018. "Storage losses, liquidity constraints, and maize storage decisions in Benin," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 49(4), pages 435-454, July.
    13. Omotilewa, Oluwatoba J. & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob & Ainembabazi, Herbert & Shively, Gerald, 2016. "Impacts of Improved Storage Technology among Smallholder Farm Households in Uganda," 2016 Fifth International Conference, September 23-26, 2016, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 246454, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    14. Omotilewa, Oluwatoba J. & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob & Ainembabazi, John Herbert & Shively, Gerald E., 2018. "Does improved storage technology promote modern input use and food security? Evidence from a randomized trial in Uganda," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 176-198.
    15. Shukla, Pallavi & Pullabhotla, Hemant K. & Baylis, Kathy, 2023. "The economics of reducing food losses: Experimental evidence from improved storage technology in India," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    16. Ashimwe, Olive, 2016. "An Economic Analysis Of Impact Of Weather Index-Based Crop Insurance On Household Income In Huye District Of Rwanda," Research Theses 265675, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    17. Bachewe Fantu & Minten Bart & Seyoum Taffesse Alemayehu & Pauw Karl & Cameron Alethia & Genye Endaylalu Tirsit, 2020. "Farmers’ Grain Storage and Losses in Ethiopia," Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization, De Gruyter, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, January.
    18. 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.
    19. Kukom Edoh Ognakossan & Christopher M. Mutungi & Tobias O. Otieno & Hippolyte D. Affognon & Daniel N. Sila & Willis O. Owino, 2018. "Quantitative and quality losses caused by rodents in on-farm stored maize: a case study in the low land tropical zone of Kenya," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(6), pages 1525-1537, December.
    20. Xiaoyu Sun & Xiaoli Yang & Ruilong Zhang, 2022. "The Determinants of Grape Storage: Evidence from Grape Growers in China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-14, December.
    21. Dan Pan, 2014. "The Impact of Agricultural Extension on Farmer Nutrient Management Behavior in Chinese Rice Production: A Household-Level Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(10), pages 1-22, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:8:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s12571-016-0567-9. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.