Implementation of Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) technology in Benin Accra, Ghana, April 2012 R. Allomasso, O. Coulibaly, C. Aitchedji, T. Abdoulaye and D. Akplogan

Presentation plan  Introduction Background and justification Objectives  Activities implementation and results  Communication activities  Bags supply chain activities  Difficulties and lessons learnt

Background and justification Background and justification 1.Cowpea post harvest problems: Pests problems in field and during storage (bruchids in cowpea stocks) 2.Various pest control methods: use of dangerous pesticides that lead to health hazards and environment pollution 3.Development of hermetic triple-layer bags technology: by Purdue University in collaboration with others institutions Introduction

Objectives 1. General objective of PICS From now to 2012, at least 50% of cowpea in West and Central Africa will be stored with the hermetic triple-layer bags PICS 2. Objective of PICS Benin Disseminate the triple layer bags technology to farmers and provide opportunities to local businesses in 946 villages in Benin. Develop supply chain for triple-layer plastic sacks to make the technology available to farmers Introduction

Major activities 1) Training of field technicians: 2) Sensitization: 3) Demonstration sessions: 4) Follow-up of cowpea Bags: 5) Open bags ceremonies Introduction

Activities implementation and results  Training of PICS Stackholders  Training of Facilitators and field technicians DateVenueTotal trained 17 August 2009Benin IITA Station16 ( Facilitators ) August 2009Porto-Novo30 (Technicians) August 2009 Bohicon 40 (Technicians) August 2009 Parakou 37 (Technicians) 10 November 2009 Bohicon 30 ( Female Technicians ) Total 153

DepartmentsNo of No of Villages Women group Atlantique/Lit Atacora/Donga15525 Borgou/Alibori16325 Zou/Collines19530 Mono/Couffo17130 Ouémé/Plateau14525 TOTAL

 Summary of attendance data, PICS Benin Activities implementation and results Activities Participants MalesFemalesChildrenTotal Sensitization Demonstration Open bag ceremonies Total Percentage (%) 45,2741,6213,11100

Activities implementation and results  Mega open the bags ceremonies  Pictures Mega open bag ceremony, Adjara, Southern Benin, 30 June 2010 From left:(1) Representative of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and fisheries, (2) local government Authority (Deputy Mayor)

Activities implementation and results  Mega open the bags ceremonies  Pictures The audience at the Mega open bag ceremony, Adjara, Southern Benin, 30 June 2010

Activities implementation and results  Mega open the bags ceremonies  Pictures Fabries Heather (Representative of Purdue University) and Dr Pamphile TOBADA (DG CeRPA ZOU/COLLINES) at the OBC, Bohicon, Southern Benin, 12th April 2011 Cowpea sacs PICS ) at the OBC, Bohicon, Southern Benin, 12th April 2011

Activities implementation and results  Follow-up of PICS bags  Achievement Summary of Follow-up data, PICS-Benin ( ) Department Date startedDate EndedAverage Cowpea price (fcfa) Atlantique/Lit. 17 Oct Feb Atacora/Donga 17Nov Feb Borgou/Alibori 17Nov Feb Zou/Collines 17Nov Feb No bruchids attacks Mono/Couffo 17Nov Feb Ouémé/Plateau 15 Oct Feb TOTAL

PeriodsRadios/Televisions/OthersLanguagesType of broadcastingNumber of diffusion 2009 / 2011 Radios (21) and TV (3) Radios (21) and TV (3)17 Spots and messages3508 Print media 1Journal article7 PICS posters and flyers1Distributions500/ / 2012 Radios (10) Spots and Phone-in (60 mn)16 PICS posters and flyersDistribution-  List of communication means

Bags supply chain Whole saler vendors Facilitators and Technicians Farmers/cowpea sellers Grain commodities’ collectors

Départements Pour démo Vente libre Total venduTOTAL _2010 Départements Pour démo Vente libre Total venduTOTAL _2011 Départements Pour démo Vente libreTOTAL No available 2011_2012

Difficulties and lessons learnt 1.At coordination and management staff level  Delay in PICS activities implementation  Delay in centralizing data by field technicians  HIGH RATE OF TURN OVER of some technicians to other area  Poor follow-up by some facilitators  Difficulties in the bags supply chain  Poor motivation of technicians*(Slow trickle down of allowance)

Difficulties and lessons learnt 2.At farmers and stakeholders’ level  Most of farmers and others stakeholders confirmed that the triple-layer bags technology is very effective (Almost all farmers)  Farmers and others partners are willing to pay and adopt the PICS bags for storage of cowpea or other grains commodities  Most farmers have complained that the PICS bags are not available and there are no sufficient information on the technologies  Farmers have requested to make the bags available to test with others commodities  Size of the bages (200kg/50-25Kg)  Some farmers complained that the price of the bags is to high

Difficulties and lessons learnt 2.At Decision makers’ level  Suggest to train more technician  Suggest to give the responsibility to sell bags to the CeRPA  Suggest the integration of the technology to the national extension system.

Suggestions  Look for another wholesaler to  Give responsibility to a national NGOs to buy and supply PICS bags

Many thanks for your attention