ANALYSIS OF THE PROFITABLILITY OF PICS BAGS FOR THE STORAGE OF BAMBARA GROUNDNUT SEEDS (Vigna subterranea) IN THREE REGIONS OF NIGER

Seyni Boureima (), Moussa Bokar () and Jess Lowenberg-DeBoer ()
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Seyni Boureima: University of Marad, Maradi Niger
Moussa Bokar: INRAN Maradi, Niger
Jess Lowenberg-DeBoer: Purdue University, Department of Agricultural Economics

No 15-3, Working Papers from Purdue University, College of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Economics

Abstract: This study documents Bambara groundnut storage practices and estimates the economic returns from alternative storage and marketing strategies in Niger. A random sample of Bambara groundnut growers in the main Bambara groundnut growing areas of Niger were interviewed. A total of 164 respondents participated. Slightly over half of the Bambara groundnut stored is in potentially hermetic containers including double and triple layer bags, plastic jugs and metal drums. Use of storage insecticide varied by region. Over 12% of the quantity stored was treated with insecticide in the Maradi Region, but only about 2% in the other regions. Use of the Purdue Improved Crop Storage bag also varied by region. In the Dosso region in 2012, 47% of the Bambara groundnut was stored in PICS bags, but only 8% in Maradi and 4% in Zinder. Bambara groundnut prices vary seasonally, and they vary widely from market to market. Consequently, marketing flexibilty is key to profitable commecialization. In most cases storing into the next rainy season (i.e. 8 to 9 months) is the most profitable strategy. Estimates indicate that producers using traditional storage technologies should market their Bambara groundnuts quickly because the storage damage can be severe. In contrast, PICS bags are quite profitable for Bambara groundnut producers in the study areas, especially when longer-term storage conditions are required. Even when the PICS bag is only used one season, the simple rate of return is over 100%.

Keywords: Niger; Bambara groundnut; storage; hermetic; profitability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q01 Q12 Q16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 31 pages
Date: 2015-08
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pae:wpaper:15-3

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