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 contro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Economic development and cultural change 2022-01, Vol.70 (2), p.729-761
Main Authors: Chegere, Martin Julius, Eggert, Håkan, Söderbom, Måns
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Area Studies
Business & Economics
Clinical trials
Corn
credit
Development Studies
Economics and Business
Ekonomi och näringsliv
Farmers
Grain
Intervention
maize storage
Prices
Protection
Sales
Small farms
social networks
sub-saharan africa
Technology
Training
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0013-0079
1539-2988
DOI:10.1086/713932