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Effects of Storage Losses and Grain Management Practices on Storage: Evidence from Maize Production in Benin

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  • Kadjo, Didier
  • Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob E.
  • Alexander, Corinne E.
  • Tahirou, Abdoulaye

Abstract

This study uses nationally representative data from 360 farm households in Benin to estimate how access to storage technologies and storage losses from insects affects a smallholder African farmer’s decision to hold grain from production, in an environment of high price variability. We find that access to storage chemicals increases the average amount stored by 196 kilograms with results approaching statistical significance. Farmers who use plastic bags store 293 kilograms less grain on average, likely because bags are used for transport to market in addition to storage. Results from our study also suggest that market-driven farmers rely on high price variability as shield against storage losses, whereas subsistence farmers jeopardize their food security in lean season because of aversion to stock losses. Expected post-harvest losses might therefore be more detrimental to storage decision for farmers with low physical and financial assets. These findings highlight the need to develop effective and accessible new or improved storage technology for small farmers in SSA (Sub-Saharan Africa).

Suggested Citation

  • Kadjo, Didier & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob E. & Alexander, Corinne E. & Tahirou, Abdoulaye, 2013. "Effects of Storage Losses and Grain Management Practices on Storage: Evidence from Maize Production in Benin," 2013 Annual Meeting, August 4-6, 2013, Washington, D.C. 150522, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea13:150522
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.150522
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. 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).
    2. Channa, Hira & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob & Feleke, Shiferaw T. & Abdoulaye, Tahirou, 2018. "Estimating the impact of a credit and technology intervention on farmer maize transactions: Insights from a RCT in Tanzania," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 274235, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    3. Tesfaye, Wondimagegn & Tirivayi, Nyasha, 2016. "The effect of improved storage innovations on food security and welfare in Ethiopia," MERIT Working Papers 2016-063, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    4. 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.
    5. Wondimagegn Tesfaye & Gebrelibanos Gebremariam, 2020. "Consumption smoothing and price enhancement motives for grain storage: empirical perspectives from rural Ethiopia," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 8(1), pages 1-19, December.
    6. 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.

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    Keywords

    Consumer/Household Economics; Farm Management; Research Methods/ Statistical Methods;
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