Does improved storage technology promote modern input use and food security? Evidence from a randomized trial in Uganda

PROTOCOL: The effects of agricultural output market access interventions on agricultural, socio-economic and food and nutrition security outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review

Development agencies and international donors' efforts are increasingly focusing on better integrating poor and remote farmers into agricultural markets to address the chronic issues of rural poverty and hunger in low- and middle-income countries. Using systematic methods for information retrieval, critical appraisal and evidence synthesis, this research aims to examine evidence on the effects of five focal types of agricultural market access interventions: (i) farm-to-market transport infrastructure interventions; (ii) output market information interventions; (iii) initiatives creating new marketplaces and alternative marketing opportunities; (iv) contract farming initiatives; (v) interventions improving storage infrastructure. In this review, we will study evidence of the magnitude and direction of intervention effects on agricultural, socio-economic, and food and nutrition security outcomes. We will examine evidence of the distribution of reported effects across different contexts, interventions and sub-groups of the population (e.g., according to sex, socio-economic status, farm size, etc.). We will also report on included studies' risk of bias and on what evidence is available on intervention costs, or their cost-effectiveness. This protocol outlines this review's planned methods and the criteria for selecting and including studies in its analysis.

How costly is using livestock as a savings device?

Livestock is a major savings device in sub-Sahara Africa agriculture. I measure to what extent the value of livestock drops during food shortages. For this purpose I exploit Malawian prices of meat and maize for 72 markets from 1991 to 2009, a period with several food shortages. I show that large drops in the meat–maize terms of trade – our proxy for the value of livestock – are associated with food shortages. During food shortages the value of livestock decreases with 54% to 65%. The evidence is consistent with increased livestock sales during food shortages, but the drop in meat–maize terms of trade arises primarily due to increases of maize prices. Our results are robust to spatial spill-overs and various other threats. Similar drops in livestock value are shown to occur in other SSA countries. The value of livestock has decreased at the very moment livestock is sold on the market to purchase staple foods. Like produced staple foods, agricultural households systematically sell low. To bridge food shortage periods savings instruments are needed that do not lose value when liquidated. A few policy options are discussed. On-farm grain storage appears most promising.

Climate change adaptation strategies by rice processors in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The paper examined adaptation strategies used by rice processors in Ebonyi State to manage climate risks. The paper used random sampling technique to select respondents and questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Cross-sectional data collected from 98 rice processors were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate probit regression model. The results indicated that majority of the rice processors perceived prolonged dry season and increased rainfall intensity as the main climate risks in the state. Livelihood diversification, storing of paddy, and reliance on climate information were the major adaptation strategies used by the rice processors to manage the climate risks. The main determinants of climate change adaptation strategies of rice processors were education, membership of cooperative societies, income, training on rice processing and climate risk management, experience of climate hazards, and ownership of assets. The processors faced various barriers to adoption which are mainly related to capital needs, competition from foreign brands, access to basic infrastructure and roads and information, high cost of labour. It is recommended that government support be given to the rice producing communities in terms of basic infrastructure and policies to protect the industry. Also, regular workshops/trainings should be held to train processors on best climate risk management practices and encourage registration of processor cooperatives/relevant associations.

The One Nutrition in Complex Environments (ONCE) study protocol: a cluster-randomized multi-level multi-sectoral intervention to improve nutrition in Uganda

Objective

To implement and measure the effects of a multi-level multi-sectoral social behavior change (SBC) intervention in Agago District of Northern Uganda and to determine the potential for scale-up.

Intervention

Compare the Nutrition Impact and Positive Practice (NIPP) approach to a NIPP+ approach. The NIPP approach involves nutrition education and SBC, whereas the NIPP+ adds agricultural inputs, training, and tools to support improved farm and water quality practices. The intervention effect will be measured through lower levels of aflatoxin in grain, lower water contamination, and improved knowledge on nutrition and health.

Design

This is a three-arm cluster-randomized controlled superiority trial (cRCT). The study arms include the following: group 1: NIPP; group 2: NIPP+, and group 3: control. Groups 1 and 2 will receive a 12-week intervention (NIPP or NIPP+) with active monitoring and longitudinal follow-up at 2, 6, and 12 months post-intervention. Additionally, an in-depth process and performance evaluation of each intervention arm will be undertaken using quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 60 clusters from 5 subcounties of the Agago district will be randomly selected, and 15 households per cluster will be recruited using specific inclusion/exclusion criteria for a total of 900 households (300/arm). Respondents for the qualitative portion will be purposely selected.

Analysis

We will collect data from all participants at 3 time points: baseline, endline, and 12 months post-intervention. The analysis will utilize intent-to-treat (ITT) using the initial randomization of the treatment arms to determine the overall impact of having the NIPP vs. NIPP+ vs. control. Mixed effects models will be used to determine the role of time-variant and invariant individual household, and community characteristics, as well as measures of exposure and integration on key outcome indicators. A difference-in-difference analysis (baseline/endline, baseline/12 months post-intervention, endline/12 months post-intervention) will also be used to triangulate findings.

Trial registration

NCT04209569. One Nutrition in Complex Environments (ONCE) Registered 24 December 2019

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06170-7.

Experimental Study on the Status of Maize Mycotoxin Production in Farmers' Grain Storage Silos in Northeastern China

The scientific rationality of farmers' grain storage technology and equipment is crucial for the biosecurity of grain in the main grain-producing areas represented by Northeast China. In this paper, four farmer grain storage mock silos of different widths were used as a means to track an experimental cycle of grain storage. The absolute water potential of corn in all four silos at the beginning of the experiment was greater than the absolute water potential of air, prompting moisture migration from the grain interior to the air and down to about 14%. Moisture was influenced by wind direction, and moisture decreased faster with better ventilation on both sides of the grain silos. Therefore, grain silo width has a significant effect on the drying effect under naturally ventilated conditions of maize ears. This research focused on the determination and assessment of mycotoxin contamination under farmers' storage grain conditions and analyzed the effect of silo structure on the distribution of mycotoxin contamination. When the width was too large, areas of high mycotoxin infection existed in the middle of the grain silo, and ventilation and tipping could be used to reduce the risk of toxin production. This study proved that reasonable farmer grain storage techniques and devices in Northeast China can effectively protect grain from mycotoxin contamination.

What drives smallholder farmers' willingness to pay for a new farm technology? Evidence from an experimental auction in Kenya

We use an incentive compatible experimental auction to measure demand for a new agricultural technology, a triple layered hermetic storage bag. When used properly, the bag creates an airtight seal that reduces storage loss from insect pests and neutralizes aflatoxin contamination in stored grain. We find that demand for this new technology is highly elastic (4.3) and that the wholesaler could increase profit by lowering the price. We also find that farmers' valuation for the bag is not significantly different based on the medium through which information about it is communicated to them, either text, audio or video messages. This suggests that practitioners should use the cheapest option for disseminating information, which is text messaging in this context. In addition, we find that farmers who have prior awareness of the bag are willing to pay 20% more on average than those previously unaware of it. In total, the highly elastic demand for the improved bags, along with the fact that prior awareness of the bag leads to higher willingness to pay, suggests that a one-time price subsidy for the new technology could spur demand and increase future adoption.

Subsidies for Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment with Improved Grain Storage Bags in Uganda

This article addresses the question of whether subsidizing an entirely new agricultural technology for smallholder farmers can aid its adoption early in the diffusion process. Based on a theoretical framework for technology adoption under subjective uncertainty, we implemented a randomized field experiment among 1,200 smallholders in Uganda to estimate the extent to which subsidizing an improved grain storage bag crowds-out or crowds-in commercial buying of the technology. The empirical results show that on average, subsidized households are more likely to buy an additional bag at commercial prices relative to the households with no subsidy who are equally aware of the technology. This suggests that under certain circumstances, such as when there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of a new agricultural technology, and the private sector market for the technology is weak or nascent, a one-time use of subsidy to build awareness and reduce risk can help generate demand for the new technology and thus crowd-in commercial demand for it. In this context, a subsidy can allow farmers to experiment with the technology and learn from the experience before investing in it. JEL codes: C23, C93, O33, Q12, Q18.

Postharvest Management Practices of Grains in the Eastern Region of Kenya

Cereals and legumes play a major role in the production systems and diets of farmers in the semi-arid eastern region of Kenya. Efficient postharvest management can tremendously contribute to food security in these regions. A study was carried out in three counties in eastern Kenya to assess pre and postharvest management practices among farmers. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires designed and administered using Kobo Toolbox via android tablets. Results showed that farmers cultivated three main crops: maize (98%), beans 66%), and pigeon peas (28%). The most saved seed crops were beans (80%) and pigeon peas (50%). Majority of the farmers (80%) experienced pre-drying losses due to insects (48%), rodents (40%) and birds (39%). Farmers stored grain for consumption (80%) and for sale (19%). About 48% of farmers stored the grain for more than 9 months. Challenges during grain storage were insects (57%) and rodents (43%). Primary methods of grain preservation included hermetic methods (61%) followed by insecticides (33%). While progress is being made in addressing storage challenges, there still a need to continue building awareness about improved storage technologies and find solutions for pest infestations in the field and drying after harvest.