Storage structures and determinants for their adoption by maize farmers in southern and central Benin

In Benin, protecting maize stocks against pests remains a major problem. The aim of this study was to record the post-harvest storage/conservation structures for maize in southern and central Benin, and to analyze the factors associated with maize growers' choice of each storage structure. Then, 530 maize growers were interviewed in 24 arrondissements of 7 communes, one commune per department. The communes with the highest average maize production over the last 5 years were selected. The quantitative survey was followed by focus groups. Eleven storage/conservation structures divided into 4 categories were used by producers. The time length of the structures varied according to the type. The adoption of a structure depended on the storage form used by the grower, his PDA (Agricultural Development Pole) and the commune. The adoption of granaries made of local materials by producers was affected by level of education (P = 0.024), the producer's main activity (P = 0.026), the storage method used by the producer (on the cob with husks: P < 0.001 and without husks: P = 0.001) and the lifespan of the storage structure (P < 0.001). The use of rooms/stores by growers for bulk storage on the ground is affected by the grower's PDA (P = 0.042), the lifetime of the structure (P < 0.001) and the duration of storage (P = 0.008). The religion (P = 0.007), level of education (P = 0.006), storage form (P < 0.001) and whether or not producers had attended a training session on maize post-harvest technologies (P = 0.005) affected the choice of polyethylene bags for maize storage. Gender (P < 0.001), the producer's main activity (P = 0.007) and maize storage duration (3-6 months: P = 0.03; >6 months: P < 0.001) determined the adoption of barrels as storage structures by producers. The choice of storage/conservation structure for maize is determined by the storage method, the geographical position and the socio-professional and economic status of the producer.