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Determinants of smallholder farmers’ maize grain storage protection practices and understanding of the nutritional aspects of grain postharvest losses

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Listed:
  • Patrick Ngwenyama

    (University of Zimbabwe
    University of Zimbabwe)

  • Shephard Siziba

    (University of Zimbabwe)

  • Loveness K. Nyanga

    (University of Zimbabwe)

  • Tanya E. Stathers

    (University of Greenwich)

  • Macdonald Mubayiwa

    (University of Zimbabwe)

  • Shaw Mlambo

    (University of Zimbabwe)

  • Tinashe Nyabako

    (University of Zimbabwe)

  • Aurélie Bechoff

    (University of Greenwich)

  • Apurba Shee

    (University of Greenwich)

  • Brighton M. Mvumi

    (University of Zimbabwe)

Abstract

Poor storage methods lead to high postharvest losses in maize, an essential staple in sub-Saharan Africa. Smallholder farmers’ knowledge and awareness of postharvest nutritional losses (PHNLs), practices regarding maize grain storage, and factors influencing use of improved storage protection practices were investigated in two districts in Zimbabwe through a cross-sectional field survey of 331 households randomly selected from lists of farmers’ names kept by local extension staff. A multistage sampling technique was used involving purposively selecting the study districts then randomly selecting the study wards, the villages and the households. Twenty eight key informant were purposively selected being officers and stakeholders working or residing in the two districts and involved in postharvest and nutrition issues. The most commonly used storage practices were the admixture of maize grain with synthetic grain protectant pesticides followed by storage of untreated grain in polypropylene bags. Highly toxic pesticides, such as Cabaryl 85 WP and Acetamiprid 20 SP, which are not registered for stored food grain treatment, were being applied by 14.6% of the farmers to protect their grain from insect attack. We developed a PHNL knowledge index that measured farmers’ nutritional knowledge and awareness of PHNL. Level of education and district positively correlated with farmers’ PHNL knowledge (p

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Ngwenyama & Shephard Siziba & Loveness K. Nyanga & Tanya E. Stathers & Macdonald Mubayiwa & Shaw Mlambo & Tinashe Nyabako & Aurélie Bechoff & Apurba Shee & Brighton M. Mvumi, 2023. "Determinants of smallholder farmers’ maize grain storage protection practices and understanding of the nutritional aspects of grain postharvest losses," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(4), pages 937-951, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:15:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s12571-023-01349-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-023-01349-5
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