Training modules for improved storage techniques to reduce post harvest losses of maize in Ghana

Abstract

Post-harvest losses (PHL) remain higher in Sub-Saharan Africa than the rest of the world. Even though technology is available, food insecurity persists. Women make up a large portion of the farming workforce yet do not have equal access to resources. Focusing efforts on providing support to women could reduce crop losses. The primary goal of this project is to improve the application of technologies targeting the reduction of postharvest loss in food insecure areas such as Ghana. This work examines a methodology to improve Ghana's food security by providing better resources and more effective training to women in Ghana's agricultural community. Research was conducted on the intersection of Ghana's social and environmental climate and crop storage practices and technologies with a specific focus on the effect of behavioral and gender roles on women in agriculture. From this information, an educational module was designed for the volunteers who would train the farmers on how to improve their storage practices. This module embodied much of the “train the trainer” method which teaches both post harvest strategies alongside teaching and communication strategies. The focus of the module was to provide an accurate context of the social environment and issues the volunteers will need to address while training the farmers. In order to best determine the specific needs of an individual area, a case study will be performed within each community and then the training modules are adjusted based on the results. This will better address issues that may have been ignored in the past due to lack of consideration of cultural and individual differences. By first training the volunteers, the aim is to more effectively communicate the practices and technologies being taught so they will be used long term. Following this module, interviews with experts in the selected area and a more directed case study on a test population will be conducted to develop a training module to be used by the volunteers. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the module will follow the post-harvest season, as shown in Table 2, that will look at use of technology, crop yield, and personal development. The effectiveness will be measured by comparing the harvest yields from the previous season with the one following the training.