Sustainable Maize Storage Technology Adoption in Ghana: Implications for Postharvest Losses, Farm Income, and Income Inequality

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag, a sustainable post‐harvest storage technology, can address the high postharvest losses that are a major threat to economic development, food security and the environment in Africa. However, there is limited empirical research on this technology. This study therefore aims to fill this knowledge gap by analysing the factors influencing the diffusion and adoption rates of PICS bags and estimates the impact of the technology adoption on postharvest losses, farm income and income inequality in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The results show that less than 20% of farmers adopt the PICS bag, suggesting low adoption despite the widespread exposure of 51.75%. The technology adoption rate could be increased by 20% if all the farmers were exposed to it. It reduces postharvest losses by 14.2%–19.1%, increases farm income by 89.7%–91.2% and reduces income inequality by 51.33%. These findings suggest that promoting the technology can stimulate sustainable rural development by improving farmers' welfare.

Keywords

• food security
• maize
• postharvest losses
• Purdue Improved Crop Storage bags
• rural development
• sustainable storage technology