Postharvest losses and mitigating technologies: evidence from Upper East Region of Ghana

Sugri, Issah; Abubakari, Mutari; Owusu, Robert K. A; Bidzakin, John Kamburi

doi:10.1016/j.sftr.2021.100048

Cited by 30 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…A review of postharvest losses in Ghana showed losses between 8 and 28% in cowpea [27]. Farmers' declared losses in the northern savanna zone are pegged at 22%, but a lower estimate (13.5%) was obtained using standard measurements in farm stores [28]. Apart from the economic losses, insect contamination of grains via dead insects, pupae, larval cocoons, and integument has recently been reported to contain carcinogenic compounds such as ethyl, methyl, and methoxy quinines which cannot be denatured by boiling or baking [29].…”

Section: Cowpea Grain Storage Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Apart from the economic losses, insect contamination of grains via dead insects, pupae, larval cocoons, and integument has recently been reported to contain carcinogenic compounds such as ethyl, methyl, and methoxy quinines which cannot be denatured by boiling or baking [29]. Quite recently, PICS bags have been promoted as a potential insecticide-free, long-term storage of cowpea and are now promoted for maize and cereals except paddy rice [28]. Despite its potential, cost and access to the PICS bags are still a limitation requiring the attention of policymakers.…”

Section: Cowpea Grain Storage Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cowpea Grain Storage Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies suggest the integrated use of improved storage methods such as PICS bags and safe grain protectants [28,30]. For instance, treatment combination involving jute bags recorded higher losses (68.3 to 71.8%) compared to grain stored in PICS bags (6.4 to 7.1%) and plastic drums (6.7 to 11.1%) [28]. e application of either grain protectant significantly reduced losses compared to the control, but no significant differences existed between the two grain protectants.…”

Section: Cowpea Grain Storage Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Economics of Bulk Storage Techniques: Maize and Cowpea Storage in Ghana

Bidzakin

Yeboah

Sugri

et al. 2022

Advances in Agriculture

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High postharvest loss is one of the major challenges faced by farmers in many African countries in their efforts to achieve food and nutrition security. Several postharvest techniques have been developed and introduced to farmers aimed at reducing food losses. This study evaluated the economic viability of four such grain storage techniques using capital budgeting techniques. Two grain protectants were applied at recommended rates in three treatment combinations to jute sacks, PICS sacks, polytanks, and poly sacks at different treatment levels and at different discount rates. Under maize storage, the net present value of all treatments yielded positive net returns. The polytank technique proved to be the most economically viable storage technique, followed by PICS and then jute sacks. Under cowpea storage, polytank proved to be the most viable, followed by PICS. This is consistent under replacement chain method and equivalent annual annuity under the three different discount rates used. Cowpea is best stored in polytanks and PICS sacks. Polytank is recommended as the most economically viable storage technique for both maize and cowpea storage. PICS is also recommend for both maize and cowpea storage. However, jute sacks and poly sacks are not suitable for cowpea storage even under chemical treatment, especially under long-term storage (over 6 months). The choice of storage technique should consider the commodity under consideration.

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Section: Cowpea Grain Storage Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cowpea Grain Storage Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cowpea Grain Storage Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Cowpea Grain Storage Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Economics of Bulk Storage Techniques: Maize and Cowpea Storage in Ghana

Bidzakin

Yeboah

Sugri

et al. 2022

Advances in Agriculture

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“…Mitigation of postharvest losses (PHL) is recognized as the most urgent development priority and a key pathway to food and nutrition security in sub-Saharan Africa [1][2][3][4][5]. According to the National Bureau of statistics, Kenya loses about a third of its agricultural produce to postharvest losses annually.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Analysis of a Refractance Window Dryer Prototype Developed by Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute

Nyaguti

Wanjala

Kamau

et al. 2021

CJAST

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The Refractance window dryer (RWD) is a fourth generation dehydration technology. RWD is used to dry heat-sensitive materials because it retains high nutrient content, colour, flavour, aroma and bioactive compounds. The dehydrated products have a high sensory quality. There were no RWD in East Africa despite their excellent performance hence need for local fabrication of RWD Prototypes that can meet the technical, economical and socio-economical requirements. This paper describes the performance evaluation and economic analysis of the RWD prototype developed at the Kenya Industrial and Development Institute (KIRDI), Kenya. Indicators such as drying rate and drying time were used to assess its technical performance. The economic performance of the dryer was appraised using Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), and Payback Period (PBP). Mango pulp and African leafy vegetables were dried using the RWD prototype at KIRDI between May-July, 2021. During drying process, moisture content of mango pulp was reduced from 88% to 15% in one hour while African leafy vegetable from 88% to 5% in 40 minutes. The economic evaluation of the dryer revealed an IRR of 31%, NPV of 808223.515 @ 24% and PBP of 3.6 years. KIRDI RWD prototype is a versatile technology that can be deployed in remote settings resulting to reduction of post-harvest losses as well as carbon emission. Currently, sun drying, solar drying, cabinet drying, spray drying, drum drying, fluidized bed drying and freeze drying are available in Kenya. They possess various advantages and equally significant drawbacks. Therefore the adoption of KIRDI’s Refractance window dryer would be beneficial to Micro Small and Medium enterprises in providing timely drying services and improve their socio-economic status.

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