Assessment of post-harvest losses in the maize sector: Case of the production link in Benin

Abstract

Maize production has always faced the challenge of post-harvest losses which hamper the achievement of food and nutritional security. Hence, in order to assess these post-harvest losses in the maize sector, a study was conducted in seven of the twelve departments of Benin. Data collection was done using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to a calculated minimum sample of 286 producers of this crop. The subjective method which was based on the declarations/opinions of the farmers was used for the data analysis. The results indicated that the losses mainly occur at the harvest level (0.87%), ginning (0.86%), winnowing/cleaning (0.85%), and storage (0.76%). For an initially produced quantity (about 4555 kg), the overall average rate of losses along the various operations considered is 5.78%. The main causes of these losses are grain spillage and biological factors (rot, mould, insect attacks). Strategies such as harvesting on time, protecting sacks of maize with tarps, and the use of sacks that are not torn and in good condition help prevent losses. To considerably reduce these losses, accompanying measures and policies improving the capacities of the actors, the facilities for the acquisition of storage infrastructures, and appropriate transport equipment/materials must be promoted.