The Effects of Storage Technology and Training on Postharvest Losses, Practices, and Sales: Evidence from Small-Scale Farms in Tanzania

• We analyze the impact of a new storage technology and training on postharvest losses, sales and the timing of sales, farmgate prices, maize quality, and storage protection costs among small-scale maize farmers in rural Tanzania. The analysis is based on data collected by means of a randomized controlled trial in which farmers were randomized into one of three groups: a control group and two treatment groups. Farmers in the first treatment group received training on postharvest management practices, and farmers in the second treatment group were provided with hermetic (airtight) bags for storing maize as well as the training administered to the first treatment group. Both interventions had a significant effect in reducing storage losses, and the intervention with hermetic bags improved the quality of maize grain, raised the likelihood of selling maize, increased the farmgate price of maize, enabled farmers to shift some of their sales to the lean season, and reduced the cost of storage protection. Both interventions are economically feasible.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business (hsv//eng)

Keyword

sub-saharan africa

social networks

maize storage

credit

Area Studies

Development Studies

Business & Economics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)