Assessment of the role of traditional maize storage techniques on food security
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Date
2007
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
This study assessed the role of traditional maize storage techniques on food security, in
Songea district. The specific objectives were (a) to identify and determine the extent of
use of the main traditional maize storage techniques used in the study area (b) to determine
the effectiveness of traditional maize storage techniques and (c) to determine the
perception of the concept of food security by farmers in the study area. Cross-sectional
research design was used in this study. Structured questionnaires, focus group discussions,
and personal observation were the main instruments of data collection. The study revealed
that the most common storage structures were; storage cribs (Litara) (4.3%), granaries
(Chibana) (9.3%), polythene bags (viloba) (84.7%) ceiling storage, mud posts
(Makarangi), tins and gourds which amounted to 1.7%. The study revealed further that
about 93.3% of the farmers acknowledged that traditional storage techniques available in
their area were ineffective in controlling and preventing biological agents of deterioration.
Chemical pesticides were more used in preventing and controlling insect pests and
rodents. Majority of farmers (80%) who used chemical pesticides either used the wrong
pesticides or wrong dosage hence posing great health risk to end-users. The study also
showed that despite majority of farmers (60%) having excellent knowledge on the concept
of food security, there still existed pockets of hunger. About 47.5% were found to be food
insecure. It was concluded that, the failure of typical traditional maize storage techniques
in combating food storage problems and low level of maize production in the ward
contributed to food insecurity. It was recommended that, storage techniques and farming
technologies should be improved and extension officers and other stakeholders should put
more emphasize on educating farmers on proper use of chemical pesticides
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Thesis
Keywords
Traditional maize, Storage techniques, Food security