Can metal silo technology offer solution to grain storage and food security problem in developing countries? An Impact evaluation from Kenya
GITONGA, Z.
Can metal silo technology offer solution to grain storage and food security problem in developing countries? An Impact evaluation from Kenya - Brazil : International Association of Agricultural Economists, 2012. - 26 pages
Maize is the most important food staple in developing countries with a stable demand throughout the year and seasonal production which is sometimes occasioned by crop failure. Farmers store maize for food security and protection against price fluctuation. However, traditional methods of storage do not provide protection against theft and insect damage resulting in huge postharvest losses. Metal silo offer solution to this problem but its impact has not been studied at farm level. This study used propensity score matching approach to evaluate the impact of metal silo technology on postharvest loss abatement, cost of storage, length of maize storage and household food security. This study used cross sectional representative data of major maize growing zones in Kenya collected from 1468 households. The results reveal that households that do not adopt metal silo sell much of their grain within the first month after harvest at low prices. Metal silo adopters however, store and sell most of their maize five months after harvest when prices are attractive. Metal silo adopters on average saved US$134 worth of grain and US$18 on cost of storage pesticides compared to non-adopters. Adopters of metal silo store their maize longer for two months and are food secure for at least a month longer than non-adopters. Metal silos are effective in reducing grain losses due to maize weevil and larger grain borer and therefore needs to be promoted to small scale farmers in Africa.
Text in English
Silos
Food security
Storage
Losses
Can metal silo technology offer solution to grain storage and food security problem in developing countries? An Impact evaluation from Kenya - Brazil : International Association of Agricultural Economists, 2012. - 26 pages
Maize is the most important food staple in developing countries with a stable demand throughout the year and seasonal production which is sometimes occasioned by crop failure. Farmers store maize for food security and protection against price fluctuation. However, traditional methods of storage do not provide protection against theft and insect damage resulting in huge postharvest losses. Metal silo offer solution to this problem but its impact has not been studied at farm level. This study used propensity score matching approach to evaluate the impact of metal silo technology on postharvest loss abatement, cost of storage, length of maize storage and household food security. This study used cross sectional representative data of major maize growing zones in Kenya collected from 1468 households. The results reveal that households that do not adopt metal silo sell much of their grain within the first month after harvest at low prices. Metal silo adopters however, store and sell most of their maize five months after harvest when prices are attractive. Metal silo adopters on average saved US$134 worth of grain and US$18 on cost of storage pesticides compared to non-adopters. Adopters of metal silo store their maize longer for two months and are food secure for at least a month longer than non-adopters. Metal silos are effective in reducing grain losses due to maize weevil and larger grain borer and therefore needs to be promoted to small scale farmers in Africa.
Text in English
Silos
Food security
Storage
Losses