Date: 31/07/2013
Introduction:
The Agriculture and Food Security Network of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has conducted a quantitative survey with 105 farmers in Benin to study the storage techniques used for dry grains and the main problems encountered during storage. It investigates in more depth the issue of storage losses, their causes and means of improving food conservation in the long term. 59% of the producers of dry grains interviewed reported difficulties in bridging their household needs for dry grains until the next harvest. Producers believe just over half of the food produced by a rural household should be sufficient to prevent hunger among the rural population. Weevils (Sitophilus spp) and other insect pests are responsible for 78.5% of losses. Key issues are the poor availability of storage facilities and suitable packaging material and the lack of pest management knowledge. The document also explores management methods the country’s extension system is promoting.
(SDC Food security, 06/2013)
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