Title: Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) Project

Geographical Scope: Ashanti Region and Brong Ahafo Region

Target villages: 700 (300 in Ashanti and 400 in Brong Ahafo regions)

Commissioned by: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture – IITA, Nigeria

Funding Agency:  Purdue University

Executing Agency in Ghana: Rural Education and Agricultural Development International (READI)

Time Frame: 1 September 2015 to May 2016

Overview of Project

In Africa, maize is the most important cereal crop both in terms of production and usage. In past decades, the growing of improved varieties, mineral fertilizer use, rotations, and intercrops, have all boosted cereal production considerably. Nevertheless, the gains of technological advancement are threatened by poor post production techniques to handle and store the increased production. Significant volumes of cereals in developing countries especially in Ghana are lost after harvest, aggravating hunger and resulting in expensive inputs; such as fertilizer, irrigation water, and human labour being wasted. Quantity and quality postharvest losses can lead to loss in market opportunity and nutritional value; under certain conditions, these may pose a serious health hazard if linked to consumption of afflatoxin-contaminated grain. The use of chemicals in food crop storage is very harmful to the health of both the farmer and the consumers.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is facilitating the Purdue Improved Crops Storage Project (PICS3) in Ghana in collaboration with selected NGOs. The Purdue Improved Crops Storage Project (PICS3) is a project aimed at demonstrating to farmers how they can safely store their crops without any chemical, using locally produced polythene bags. The PICS3 project adds value to crop production and empowers farmers to store and sell their crops when the price are high, thereby making more money and eliminating the risk to human health. The project would like to conduct demonstrations in 1000 villages in 4 regions of Ghana in 2015 harvest season.

Approach

• Organize and conduct village sensitization in 700 villages
• Conduct village demonstrations in 700 villages (300 in Ashanti and 400 in Brong Ahafo regions)
• Conduct follow up activities in all villages
• Organize Open the Bag Ceremonies (OBC) in all villages and  support IITA in organizing mega OBC in Ashanti and Brong Ahafo
• Collect and submit to IITA PICS3 M&E forms for each village
• Collaborate with MoFA officials, PICS 3 Baseline survey team, PICS3 business and Media consultants and represent PICS3 in that region whenever need arise.