Food Security Implications of Traditional Maize Storage Methods: A Case Study of Market Traders in the Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

Maize storage is important for ensuring food security in Sub-Saharan African countries, due to changes in seasonal production and the risk of crop failure. In Ghana, market traders and farmers store maize in traditional structures, such as silos, granaries, sacks or bags, baskets, and cribs made from locally available materials. The choice of storage methods impacts the quantity and quality of maize. Despite the importance of storage, post-harvest losses remain a challenge, limiting maize availability. We argue that increasing maize production alone is insufficient to ensure food availability. Storage is important for improving food security. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the contributions of existing storage methods in reducing post-harvest losses. This study examines the food security implications of traditional maize storage methods among traders in Ho municipality of Ghana’s Volta Region. A structured questionnaire was randomly administered to 138 maize traders in March 2024. The questions focused on the storage methods, duration, moisture content, maize quality and quantity, sales frequency, and storage and transportation losses. The study is rooted in the indigenous knowledge systems theory, the post-harvest loss theory, and the food security framework to explain the food security implications of the traditional maize storage methods. We found that respondents (84%) bagged maize and packed it on pallets in wooden rooms, while 81% did so in concrete rooms. Despite bagging, maize remained susceptible to post-harvest losses, highlighting the need for improved storage technologies. Due to a lack of moisture meters, 71% of respondents stored maize at 14.1% to 15.0% moisture content, resulting in a limited shelf life of approximately 15 weeks. All traders reported insect infestations during storage, with 62% using phosphine gas (Phostoxin) for fumigation. Traders showed good interest in improving storage practices to reduce post-harvest losses. For this interest, gender education and capacity building were key for their decision-making. These findings emphasize the need to develop and implement policies, adopt improved storage technologies, and strengthen capacity-building programs to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance regional food security.