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Food Security Implications of Traditional Maize Storage Methods: A Case Study of Market Traders in the Volta Region, Ghana
No full textMaize 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
Structural and Institutional Drivers of Investor–Smallholder Land Conflicts in Kilombero, Tanzania
No full textTanzania’s promotion of agricultural commercialization has generated persistent land conflicts between investor farmers and smallholders. This paper argues that these conflicts are not simply the result of competing land uses but are embedded in the structural and institutional weaknesses of the Tanzanian land governance framework. The paper examines the influence of the Tanzanian land governance framework in the investor – smallholder land conflicts.
The study was conducted at the Kilombero Plantations Limited (KPL), in Kilombero District, Tanzania, in June 2019. Drawing on a qualitative case study, the study analyses archival records, legal frameworks, and data from four semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion with village leaders.
Findings point to five key structural drivers. First, there are unresolved issues from villagisation. Second, there is exclusion of village institutions after the land turns into general land. There is also confusion between compensation and discretionary compassionate payments, and denial of long-term occupation claims due to the prohibition of adverse possession. Lastly, there is weak enforcement of land development conditions. These institutional factors systematically restrict community rights, concentrate authority in central agencies, institutionalize exclusion, diminish tenure security and contribute to land conflicts.
The paper extends debates on land conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa by connecting local grievances to systemic governance failures. The paper argues for structural reforms that decentralize authority, clarify compensation regimes, and strengthen accountability in land investment processes
Influence of Household Socioeconomic Factors on Agro-pastoralists Farming Practices in Dryland Areas of West Pokot County, Kenya
No full textAgro-pastoralist communities residing in dryland regions rely on livestock and crop production as their main source of livelihood. However, information on their socioeconomic characteristics and how they shape their farming practice is very limited. This hinders policy interventions in addressing constraints affecting farmers consequently making them vulnerable in the challenging arid and semi-arid conditions. This study was conducted in dryland areas of West Pokot County in Kenya. It involved multistage sampling techniques, stratified systematic random sampling to draw a representative sample. Data on socioeconomic variables and farming practices were collected using questionnaires and focused group discussions. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyse the data. The research findings showed that household heads were mostly male dominated (82%), educated (59%), had an average age of 38 years and with a mean family size of seven members. Crop production and livestock sales were identified as the primary source of income by 84% and 45% of the respondents, respectively. Farming practices showed that crop farming was small-scale in less than 2 acres of land (75%), mainly under mixed cropping systems (69%) and incorporating organic manure (62%) using hand hoe (56%) and tractor (42%) for farming operations. The logistic regression analysis revealed significant influence of socioeconomic factors on farming practices, helping in understanding the adoption of adaptive strategies for improving soil health and farm productivity. These practices promote agricultural resilience by addressing challenges such as climate variability while supporting food security, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods in the fragile dryland ecosystems. This study recommends deliberate multi-sectoral support for inclusive farmer extension services, trainings, access to farm inputs and mechanization to improve operational efficiency and optimize crop production
Impact of Adopting Organic Fertilization, Improved Fallow on Income of Maize Producing Farmers in Togo: Using Endogenous Switching Regression Model
No full textBackground and Aims: In Togo, the maritime region is the most penalized by declining soil fertility and the effect of climatic variability, with the lowest average maize yield of all Togo's regions. This study therefore analyzes the determinants of the adoption of organic fertilization and improved fallow with Mucuna pruriens as a sustainable agricultural practice, and assesses the impact of these practices on the income of maize producers in Togo.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Togolese Agricultural Research Institute and the University of Lomé in Togo from January to July 2025.
Methodology: For this purpose, data were collected from 145 farmer-members of cereal producer organizations in the maritime region and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an Endogenous Switching Regression model to account for the heterogeneity in the decision to adopt sustainable practices.
Results: 33.6% of producers surveyed were women and 66.4% were men. The most represented age group is between 40 and 49, with 45.8% of growers. 56% of agricultural producers adopt sustainable farming practices. Econometric analysis using an endogenous switching regression model revealed that the variables soil fertility, tractor use, access to non-governmental organization extension services and training in integrated soil fertility management had a positive impact on the probability of adopting sustainable practices. In addition, the study shows that organic fertilization and improved fallow increase farm income by 14.15%.
Conclusion: Finally, these results call on research and agricultural extension institutions to adapt their actions to ensure the success of agricultural extension and increased income for producers. Thus, policies for the mechanization of agriculture and training of farmers in sustainable agricultural practices must be strengthened
Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Farming Methods on Economic Well-Being between Households Using Indigenous and Conventional Farming Practices in the Midlands of Embu County in Kenya
No full textAgriculture is vital to Kenya’s economy, supporting over 80% of rural residents, contributing one-third of GDP, and supplying 65% of export earnings. Despite international and national efforts to promote conventional and sustainable farming, global food insecurity has worsened, with acute hunger rising by 10% to affect 343 million people in 74 countries. Industrial-scale, high-yield agriculture has often destabilized sustainability, causing environmental harm, social inequality, chronic diseases, and increased food insecurity. With the global population expected to reach 10.4 billion by the 2080s, transforming agri-food systems is crucial for resilient food security and economic stability. The reliance on rain-fed agriculture at the Midlands of Embu County in Kenya highlights the need to compare conventional and indigenous farming methods to better understand their economic and environmental effects. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of farming practices used in conventional and Indigenous farming methods on economic well-being. The study adopted the comparative research design and descriptive survey design. The study population comprised of 66,878 farmer households and key informants in the Midlands of Embu County. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires, interview schedule and observation check lists. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize results on farming practices while inferential statistical analysis included the use of simple linear regression analysis were used to reveal effect of the farming practices on economic well- being. Farming practice showed statistically significant negative coefficient for the indigenous farm households. The negative coefficient indicates that as the category value of farming practices increases (likely representing poorer practices), income significantly decreases. In the conventional farming practices: The analysis shows that conventional farming practice category has a non-significant effect on Income total (IT). The study recommends implementation of policies that promote sustainable farming, protect small scale farmers and encourage biodiversity conservation. The results obtained will guide adoption of sustainable farming practices, policy reviews and add to the existing knowledge of research
Analysis of Nitrogen Use Efficiency on Farm Level of the German Agricultural Sector – Effects of Regional Patterns, Farm Structure and Drought Events
No full textNitrogen (N) utilisation must be optimised to ensure food security and mitigate negative externalities of agricultural activities at the same time. This study investigated the level of Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), an agri-environmental indicator for assessing and monitoring N utilisation on farms, of the German agricultural sector and its regional and structural determinants. About 25,000 observations on NUE between 2017 and 2022 were grouped into farm-types based on Farm Accountancy Data Network, showing the lowest NUE for dairy farms and the highest for permanent crop farms on average. Also, we developed an explanatory model with a robust multiple regression technique to identify significant interrelations between NUE and regional patterns (e.g. altitude), farm structure (e.g. manure type, crop selection) and drought events (e.g. adaptation of N management). Hence, we aim to support policymakers in designing targeted policies for mitigating agricultural N emissions and achieving (inter-)national environmental, climate and sustainability goals
Hints to Settlers on the North Platte Project, Nebraska
No full textThe conditions in the North Platte Valley are in many respects similar to those where irrigation is now established around Wheatland, Wyo., and Greeley, Fort Morgan, and Sterling, Colo. On account of the similarity in conditions, the experience of farmers in these districts furnishes a good source of information as to what may be expected in the North Platte Valley. Furthermore, throughout nearly the entire length of this Project, ditches established by private enterprise have been in successful operation for a number of years. These older ditches have already reclaimed the first bottom and lower terraces, leaving the land to be reclaimed by the Government enterprise mostly upon the second terrace and higher levels. The suggestions which follow are based upon the experience of successful farmers in the immediate vicinity of this Project and in other similar localities
The Alternatives to Universal Tax Registration in Sri Lanka
No full textThis note argues that the Sri Lankan government’s recent proposal to implement universal tax registration is neither a viable nor effective strategy to increase the country’s tax revenue. Instead, the note proposes four alternative measures that are more feasible, while still serving the same purpose of expanding the tax base and generating more revenue
RaFF's Leading Indicators of Farm Financial Stress: Winter 2026
No full textThe multiple leading indicators presented in this policy brief signal the farm sector’s financial position based on data available through mid-December 2025. By viewing these indicators collectively, decision-makers can better monitor for emerging financial stress
Crop Insurance Premium and Interest Deferrals in a Time of Rising Farm Costs
No full textRising input costs, elevated interest rates, and tighter farm margins have increased the importance of liquidity within the U.S. Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP). A distinctive feature of FCIP is the delayed billing of premiums, which aligns payment obligations with post-harvest revenues and eases short-term cash-flow constraints. In addition to this built-in deferral, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation has repeatedly authorized interest waivers on unpaid premiums during years of widespread disaster. Since 2019, these interest deferrals have become routine, covering more than $18 billion in producer premiums and providing substantial implicit subsidies. This brief examines how premium timing and repeated interest deferrals function as de facto liquidity tools in an era of rising farm costs. Using administrative payment data from 2012–2023, we document a marked shift in premium payments toward the interest-free deferral window following consecutive deferral announcements. While these policies provide critical short-term relief and support continued participation in crop insurance, they also shift costs to the Treasury and may increase program liabilities by encouraging higher coverage levels. The findings highlight growing trade-offs between liquidity support, fiscal exposure, and the long-term actuarial integrity of the FCIP