Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage Research Articles

Contribution of the triple hermetic bag in the preservation of locally processed cereal and legume products in Niger

Cereals and legumes constitute the staple foods in both urban and rural areas, and the main cereals and legume products in the Sahel region are millet, sorghum, maize, and cowpea. The small-scale processors of those products are facing storage and good packaging challenges. Triple hermetic bag technology is effective for the conservation of many stored grains against insect spoilage in Africa and around the world. This study aimed to examine the performance of the high-density polyethylene Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) bags (HDPE, 80 microns thick) for the preservation of processed cereals (broken corn, millet pellet, and sorghum dagué) and legume (broken cowpea) products against insects of storage. In addition, the impact of this technology on the physical and functional parameters of the processed products (moisture content, pH, water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, and bulk density) after 6 months of storage was carried out. Rhizopertha dominica was revealed to be the damaging storage pest in the product of millet pellet and broken corn with the average number of live insects of 121.33 and 0.66, respectively, in experimentally designed bags. Significant differences (P < 0.01) and (P < 0.01) are found among the results of functional and physical properties tested on these processed products, using PICS bags versus other storage types of bags. The use of triple hermetic bag technology for storage of processed cereals and legume products has shown protection against damaging insects and preserved their physical and functional properties qualities.

Gender differentiation on the determinants and intensity of adoption of Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS) bags in Northern Nigeria

Postharvest and storage of agricultural produce such as cowpea remains a significant challenge in sub-Sahara Africa. This study assessed gender differentiation on the determinants and intensity of adoption of Purdue-improved cowpea storage (PICS) bags in northern Nigeria. Primary data was collected via a well-questionnaire from Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, and the Niger States. Each State was purposively selected based on the concentration and availability of female PICS bag users. From the sampling frame 2989, 20% of male and female small-scale cowpea farmers were randomly selected, totalling 598 cowpea farmers. Descriptive and double-hurdle regression models were used. The result of the socioeconomic analysis indicated that farmers' mean age was 42 years, with an average of 8 persons per household and a dependency ratio of 1.19. Years of schooling were 10 with a farming experience of 25 years and 2.17 ha as the average farm size. Results of the Logit model in males were significant for (extension contact, PICS information from other farmers and radio sources, and cowpea income, bags non-available) and for females (age, awareness, extension contact, PICS information from other farmers and radio source, bags non-available). The truncated regression model was significant in males (cowpea income) and females (education, output, and bags non-available). Adopting PICS bag technology by cowpea farming households enhanced female farmers' adoption. Therefore, policymakers should implement methods to motivate female farmers to adopt this technology further.

Analyses of Cowpea Grains Stored with Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) Technology in Madagali Local Government of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Cowpea is a food security crop and a main source of income for farmers in Nigeria. However, postharvest storage remains a major challenge due to insect pest attack. Infestations impose serious challenge to cowpea storage and negatively affect trade and utilization of cowpea in Nigeria. Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) technology provides effective control against these storage pests, thus, allowing farmers to tap into better grain prices during the lean season. The study analysed the gains in cowpea stored with PICS technology in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study include; determining the effect of PICS technology use on cowpea loss and to estimate the returns to cowpea stored with PICS technology. Two hundred and forty (240) respondents were identified and interviewed using networking or snowballing non-random sampling technique. The analytical tools used for the study were the gravimetric (count and weight) method and marketing margin analysis. The result of the study showed that storing with PICS technology reduced weight loss in cowpea by 16.3%, valued at N3, 450 per bag per season. The use of PICS technology gave a higher marketing margin of N11, 297.88/bag with farm-to-retail price spread of 45.5% than N8, 285.83/bag and farm-to-retail price spread of 37.8% in woven bag. The study recommends that, farmers association be used as an avenue to promote and create awareness on the economic benefits of PICS technology.

Climate Smart Dry Chain for Food and Nutrition Security in Nepal

Global efforts to feed the burgeoning population have focused on increasingfood production and access. In the meantime, FAO estimates about 1/3 foodloss in the developing countries. To minimize these losses, grain storagetechniques were investigated in an earthquake hit village in Kavre district ofNepal. Pesticide free moisture proof/airtight food storage bags were providedto 1,055 households using financial s upport f rom U NICEF-Nepal. Thirty-three households were identified w ho c ould s tore f ood g rains f or 6-monthfor this study. Maize and rice grains were stored in porous and in moisture-proof hermetic bags. Food grain samples were collected at the beginning andat 6-month and were analyzed for physical quality parameters, nutrients andmycotoxins. About 92% insect damage occurred in maize stored in porousbags which was prevented in triple layer hermetic Purdue Improved CowpeaStorage (PICS) bags. Insect damage in paddy remained low within 10% inboth treatments. Major maize nutrient loss occurred through insect damage.The traditional practice was to use insect and mold infested maize as feed.Mycotoxins results showed that toxigenic molds develop in open storage

Impact of Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) Bag on the Profitability of Cowpea Storage in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State

The study examined the impact of Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) Bag on the Profitability of CowpeaStorage in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a structuredquestionnaire. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression, independent t-test and farm budgeting models wereemployed for data analysis. Results of the descriptive analysis revealed that cowpea storage in the study areawas gender bias given that majority (94.2%) of the respondents were men. About (98.3%) had one form offormal education or the other, while (76.7%) had above 15 years farming experience. Results from the CobbDouglas regression model indicated that among socio-economic factors such as age, household size and yearsof experience, only age have a significant positive impact on the profitability of cowpea storage using PICSbag (p<0.097). The profitability analysis puts the average net revenue for chemical and PICS bags users at₦48,210 and ₦82,730 per hectare, respectively. The difference in profit was statistically significant (P< 0.00),implying that PICS bags usage was more profitable and had an impact on cowpea storage in the study area.Against this background, it was recommended that Niger State Government, through the Extension Componentof the State Agricultural Mechanization and Development Authority (NAMDA) promote efficient use ofimproved storage technology (PICS bag) amongst cowpea farmers in the study area with the view to ensuringprofitable and sustainable cowpea production.

ADOPTION OF PURDUE IMPROVED COWPEA STORAGE IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA

The study explored the general adoption of Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS) technology in the fragile north-eastern Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling approach was used to select 3,000 respondents from the study area. The primary data for this study were collected in 2020 through a field survey conducted by the researchers through the use of structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics (Propensity score matching [PSM] and Inverse probability weighted regression adjusted [IPWRA]) were used. ATBU-PICS project had increased the adoption by 8-25 PICS bags with a standard error of 11.30-14.11 using different matching algorithm. The adoption was found to be influenced positively by age, years of formal education, participation into ATBU-PICS, knowledge of PICS technology and farm size at P≤0.01, P≤0.01, P≤0.01, P≤0.01 and P≤0.05, respectively. Sex and farming experience negatively affected the adoption of PICS at P≤0.01 and P≤0.01, respectively. The study therefore, concluded that the age, years of formal education, participation into ATBU-PICS, knowledge of PICS technology and farm size were the factors that influenced adoption of PICS in the study area. It was recommended that more awareness creation is needed to generate more PICS technology knowledge so as to achieve further penetration and further project should be initiated to complement the previous efforts in the study area.

PROFITABILITY OF COWPEA GRAINS STORED WITH PURDUE IMPROVED COWPEA STORAGE TECHNOLOGY IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Insect infestations impose serious challenge to cowpea storage and negatively affect trade and utilization of cowpea in Nigeria. Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS) technology provide effective control against these storage pests, thus allowing farmers to tap into better grain prices during the lean season. The study assessed the profitability of cowpea grains stored with Purdue improved cowpea storage technology in Benue State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study include; to determine the effect of PICS technology use on cowpea loss and to estimate the returns to cowpea stored with PICS technology. Two hundred and forty (240) respondents were identified and interviewed using snowballing non-random sampling techniques. The analytical tools used for the study were the gravimetric (count and weight) method and marketing margin analysis. The result of the study revealed that storing with PICS technology reduced weight loss in cowpea by 15.3%, valued at N3,450 per bag per season. The use of PICS technology gave a higher marketing margin of N11,297.88/bag with farm-to-retail price spread of 45.5% than N8,285.83/bag and farm-to-retail price spread of 37.8% in woven bag. It is recommended that; farmers group should be used as a platform to promote and create awareness on the economic benefits of PICS technology use.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF PURDUE IMPROVED COWPEA STORAGE TECHNOLOGY IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA

ATBU-PICS project had made a substantial effort in north-east Nigeria to further promote hermetic cowpea storage. To respond to the need for information on the robust economic impact of adoption of cowpea storage technology, the objectives of the study were to specifically explore the impact of the Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS) technology on knowledge and margin of farmers in north-eastern Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling approach was used to select 3,000 respondents from the study area. Primary data were collected in 2020 using structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics (Propensity score matching [PSM] and Inverse probability weighted regression adjusted [IPWARA]) were used for the analyses. The result showed that age, sex, farming experience and availability of PICS bag in a locality positively drive both margin of farmers and knowledge of PICS technology at P≤0.1, P≤0.1, P≤0.05, P≤0.01, respectively, but household size negatively drive them at P≤0.01. The study also found the margin of adopters to be ₦124,006.10 higher than that of non-adopters; and the knowledge of PICS technology adopters was higher than that of non- adopters by 2.32 in a scale of 5. It was concluded that ATBU-PICS project had positive economic impact on the adopters of the technology. It was recommended that; the value chain of the PICS bags should be intensified to ensure its availability in all the localities for easy access while increase awareness of the technology should also be intensified.

Use and efficacy of low temperature plasma in foods: promising intervention on aflatoxin control in maize in Kenya – A review

Maize (Zea mays var. indentata L.) is the most important food security crop in Kenya and plays an important role in human nutrition. Mycotoxins (MTs) are fungal toxic metabolites which naturally contaminate food and feed. When ingested, inhaled or adsorbed through the skin, even in very small concentrations, are associated with various cancers, retarded growth, suppressed immunity and mutations among other complications. Aflatoxins especially aflatoxin B1, are considered the most lethal in the group of more than three hundred known mycotoxins. In Kenya, aflatoxin contamination in maize leads to huge losses in the country’s breadbasket and also in the grain reserves. One of the possible methods for control of the aflatoxin menace in maize would be through the use of plasma technology. Plasma, an electrically energized matter in form of a gas that is generated at different atmospheric pressures, has several uses. At low temperature, it makes the process of decontamination practical, inexpensive and suitable for products whereby use of heat is not desired. Non thermal plasma, a new discipline in food processing has been shown to destroy micro-organisms including spores to undetectable levels. Over the years, there has been increased concern over the rising cases of aflatoxin poisoning in Kenya due to contaminated maize. The presence of aflatoxins is promoted by various factors, among them poor storage conditions, soil type, insect activity and drought conditions before harvest. Several measures including use of hermetic storage types such as pics (Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage) bags to store maize and proper drying of maize to the right moisture content to discourage mould growth have been suggested and used to tackle the aflatoxin menace. In Mexico and Caribbean countries, nixtamalization is widely practised and has been used to reduce aflatoxin in tortilla. Nixtamilization involves cooking the maize in an alkaline solution resulting in detoxification. The traditional nixtamalization and extrusion cooking processes have been combined in making of the dough (masa) for corn tortillas and have shown better success in elimination of aflatoxin. The main challenge with the use of this method of detoxification is acidification of aflatoxin extracts, which occurs during digestion and can lead to a rebuilding of the aflatoxin molecule leading to poisoning. The application of low temperature plasma technology can bring much needed reprieve in tackling the aflatoxin menace in maize and other foods both in Kenya and even worldwide.

On-Farm Assessment of Maize Storage and Conservation Technologies in the Central and Northern Republic of Benin

The loss rates and financial profitability of maize storage and conservation technologies were assessed in the central and northern regions of the Republic of Benin. The experimentations were conducted specifically in the villages of Boukoumbé and Savalou and were randomly sampled. A total of four storage technologies were offered to 137 producers: the polypropylene bag, the Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) bag, the metal silo, and the improved and closed earthen attic (with or without stock processing). The method by Pantenius was used to determine the loss rates, and the economic method of Gittinger was used to evaluate the profitability of technologies. The results showed that the technologies that recorded fewer losses in the two communes during storage were the PICS bag with grain treatment by chemical conservation measures in Savalou (9.42 ± 4.64%) and Boukoumbé (2.69 ± 0.77%), the PICS bag without grain treatment in Savalou (11.71 ± 2.78%), the metal silo with grain treatment in Boukoumbé (4.92 ± 1.36%) and the polypropylene bag with grain treatment in Savalou (10.56 ± 2.80%) and Boukoumbé (4.02 ± 1.23%). Therefore, the financial analysis results indicated that the most profitable storage technologies were the PICS bag with treatment in the center of Benin and the polypropylene bag without treatment in northern Benin.

TRENDS ANALYSIS OF COWPEA AREA AND PRODUCTIVITY IN NIGERIA FROM 2006 - 2018

The study examined the trends over the years of cowpea cropped area, output and yield per hectare. Time series data of cowpea area and production in Nigeria (2006 - 2018) obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria annual bulletins were used for the study. Data were analyzed using three (3) trend models; linear, quadratic and exponential growth models which were fitted and the exponential growth models were selected on econometric basis in the analysis. The result of the exponential model showed positive compound growth trends in area (0.031) and output (0.039), but with negative growth trend of -0.008 for the yield/ha analysis. The doubling times for the growth rates were estimated at 17 and 14 years to double the growth rates in cowpea cropped area and output. Result of the growth pattern disclosed that there was deceleration in the growth of cowpea cropped area, output and yield/ha for the period under consideration. It was concluded that that the marginal compound growth rates in cowpea area, output and yield/ha resulted in actual retardation in cowpea production. The study recommended that the trend results can be reversed by land improvement mechanisms that will increase the yield/ha, and the incorporation best practices like Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) to achieve the dual objectives of increased production and market successes.

Impact of the Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage Technology on the Income of Cowpea Farmers in North Central Nigeria

The objective of the study was to determine the potential impact of Purdue improved cowpea storage (PICS) technology on the income of users in north central states of Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure involved selection of 3 Local Government Areas (LGAs) each from 18 senatorial districts of six states, 108 villages. Thereafter 2,220 cowpea PICs stakeholders comprising 1,240 farmers and 960 traders were randomly selected by balloting technique. The study used primary data and structured questionnaire to interview users and non-users of PICS bag. Descriptive statistics, double difference estimator, propensity score matching (PSM) and logic model were used to analyze the data. The result showed a positive mean difference of ₦1,205.12 per 50 kg bag (p<0.01) in income between users and non-users before and after adoption of PICS technology. The result of logit model revealed that variables age, education status, employment status, income and quantity of cowpea used in the analysis were significant at different level of probability. The PSM adjusted with constant coefficient value of 1.000 was statistically significant at 1% level. Thus, the PICS technology was a better strategy adopted by farmers/traders to increase their income and improve their standard of living. Since majority of farmers and traders are young and educated, trainings, workshops and sensitization should be encouraged. This can be effectively done through Agricultural Development Programmes (ADP), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and attending farmer’s stakeholders meeting for sensitization. Keywords — Cowpea, impact, Propensity Score Matching (PSM), Purdue.

Market building for post-harvest technology through large-scale extension efforts

The Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) technology has been disseminated in 30,896 villages in 10 different countries in West and Central Africa from 2007 to 2012. Extension and supply chain development efforts were required to make the PICS technology available to millions of farmers and other users. Several research and development organizations assisted in awareness building activities to develop the market and increase access. Thousands of village and market demonstrations were implemented by field technicians and supported by media activities. Supply chain development activities were led by the private sector with some support from the project. Overall, 40–70 adults attended demonstrations in each village, among which 38% were women. Large-scale extension activities substantially increased the demand for the technology and helped establish the supply chain. More than 2.4 million triple bags were sold in the first 5 years of the project. In some countries, up to 50% of bags ordered during the first year were bought by farmers; even though village demonstrations had not yet been completed. Market building activities helped convince the private sector that there were business opportunities in buying and selling PICS bags. Bags ordered by the private sector went from 0% in 2007 to 200% in 2010, proving that it is possible to commercialize a new agricultural technology in developing countries in a relatively short time.

Adoption of on-farm hermetic storage for cowpea in West and Central Africa in 2012

This study is based on interviews with 3456 randomly selected cowpea farmers in 322 villages in ten countries in West and Central Africa in 2010 and 2012. It uses descriptive statistics to track the trends in adoption of cowpea storage technology compared to previous studies and Firth logistic regression to identify important factors in adoption. The interviews indicate that regionally about 46% of respondents use some type of hermetic storage for their cowpeas and about 44% of the quantity of cowpea stored on farms is in hermetic containers. Both the percentage of respondents and the percentage of stored quantity fall slightly short of the 50% benchmark hypothesized. The 2010–2012 estimates compare to about 30% of cowpea quantity stored in hermetic containers in 2003–2004. Regionally, the most commonly used hermetic storage container is the triple layer Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) bag. In PICS villages, local unavailability is the most common reason for not using the bags. The logit analysis shows that living in a village with PICS activities is the single most important factor explaining adoption of the technology. In six of the nine regressions participation in the demonstrations was also positive and a statistically significant determinant of adoption. For someone living in a PICS village and participating in the activities the combined effect is highly influential. In Niger such an individual would be 27% more likely than a non-participant from a non-PICS village to use PICS bags. In Senegal he or she would be 55% more likely. Some form of exposure to PICS activities or village technicians is key in adoption of the PICS technologies, though it may not be direct contact with a PICS technician. On average additional cash flow due to storage of cowpea in PICS bags is estimated at $26.58/100 kg bag more than sale at harvest.

Effective and economic storage of pigeonpea seed in triple layer plastic bags

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] seed stored in triple layer Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) bags for eight months retained germination and seed integrity significantly better than seed stored in traditional gunny bags. PICS bags prevented major damage caused by bruchids (Callosobruchus maculatus F.), while grain stored in gunny bags suffered severe losses. The aflatoxin levels in stored seed were low and not significantly different between the two storage systems. The levels of O2 in PICS bags artificially infested with C. maculatus dropped rapidly during the first month of storage while the levels of CO2 increased. Even in absence of bruchids (noninfested seed) PICS bags preserved seed germination for extended periods of time better than gunny bags; possibly due to the higher and more stable relative humidity inside the PICS bags. Higher seed germination would result in improved plant stands in the field and subsequent higher yields and increased productivity. Thus, PICS bags have shown potential to positively impact the economy of pigeonpea farmers in the semi-arid tropics.

Side by side comparison of GrainPro and PICS bags for postharvest preservation of cowpea grain in Niger

When cowpea bruchid-infested cowpea grain was stored for four-plus months in Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS™) bags or in commercially-available GrainPro SuperGrain™ bags, preservation of the grain was equally good in both types of bags. In both bag types oxygen (O2) levels dropped rapidly during the first 24 h after closure, eventually reaching levels of 1–3 percent by volume (v/v). With both types of bag there was an initial rise in temperature during the first 24 h, followed by a decline, in time reaching ambient. Over the four-plus months of the experiment damage levels did not significantly increase in either type of bag while control grain kept in a conventional woven plastic bag suffered severe damage. Most of the insects found in both GrainPro and PICS bags at the end of the experiment were dead. The single layer SuperGrain™ bags showed more bruchid holes than did triple-layer PICS bags, which had no holes penetrating through both of the inner high density polyethylene (HDPE) layers, meaning that an intact O2 barrier remained in place even after the inner HDPE layer was holed. Farmers who wish to store their cowpea grain with either technology can choose between the two types of bags, taking into account price, availability and durability.

Triple bagging for cowpea storage in rural Niger: Questions farmers ask

From 2007 through 2011 experiments were conducted and observations made in the West African country of Niger to address questions or concerns raised by farmers and extension workers about the Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) triple bagging technology being widely disseminated in the country. When 518 triple bags stored by farmers in different villages across southern Niger were studied, the airspaces within the bags typically contained reduced levels of O2 while CO2 was increased. Bagged stored cowpea grain was much less damaged and had higher market value compared to grain for sale in the local markets. Two HDPE plastic liners rendered the system substantially airtight and improved preservation of the grain compared to a single HDPE liner. The concentrations of O2 and CO2 were similar along the length of the triple bag, in top, bottom and middle sections. Cowpea grain stored for 18 months in PICS bags retained high rates of germination. Briefly opening bags that had been closed for long periods did not affect the preservation of the grain. Treating the contents of the triple bag with phostoxin did not enhance preservation. Leaving the triple bag containing infested cowpea open for several days prior to closure increased the risk of blemishes or holes in the HDPE liners caused by cowpea bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) adults.

Performance of triple bagging hermetic technology for postharvest storage of cowpea grain in Niger

Triple bagging technology for protecting postharvest cowpea grain from losses to the bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) is currently being adopted on a fairly large scale in ten West and Central African countries, including Niger. The triple bag consists of two inner high-density polyethylene bags acting as oxygen barriers, which in turn are encased in an outer woven polypropylene bag that serves primarily for mechanical strength. These hermetic bags, available in either 50 or 100 kg capacity, are called Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) bags. Adoption of PICS technology in West and Central Africa has been driven by its effectiveness, simplicity, low cost, durability, and manufacture within the region. From surveys on adoption we discovered that farmers have begun to re-use bags they had used the previous year or even the previous two years. In the present study, we compared the performance of three different types of PICS bags: (1) new 50 kg (2) new 100 kg bags and (3) once-used 50 kg bags, all filled with naturally infested untreated cowpeas. In these PICS bags the O2 levels within the bags initially fell to about 3 percent (v/v) while the CO2 rose to nearly 5 percent (v/v). After five months of storage, new and used 50 kg bags and new 100 kg bags preserved the grain equally well. There were greatly reduced numbers of adults and larvae in the PICS bags versus the controls, which consisted of grain stored in single layer woven bags. The proportion of grain having C. maculatus emergence holes after five months of storage in PICS bags was little changed from that found when the grain was first put into the bags. The PICS technology is practical and useful in Sahelian conditions and can contribute to improved farmers' incomes as well as increase availability of high quality, insecticide-free cowpea grain as food.

Profitable chemical-free cowpea storage technology for smallholder farmers in Africa: opportunities and challenges

Cowpea is the most economically and nutritionally important indigenous African grain legume, grown by millions of resource-poor farmers. It is a key cash crop in areas too dry to grow cotton or other export crops. Most of the over 3 million t of cowpea grain produced annually in West and Central Africa is grown on small farms. Storage is often identified as the key challenge for small scale cowpea growers. Many farmers sell cowpea grain at low harvest time prices rather than risk losses by bruchids during storage. Some traditional methods are effective for small quantities (e.g., 10 kg), but are difficult to scale up. Some effective storage chemicals are available, but they are regularly misused by farmers and merchants. The Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) Project is addressing these problems through promotion of hermetic storage in triple layer sacks which have an outer layer of woven polypropylene and two liners of 80 μ high-density polyethylene. Village demonstrations with more than 45, 000 PICS sacks have shown the technology to be effective. Good quality affordable sacks have been produced by manufacturers in Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali. Over the past three years more than one million sacks have been produced and sold. Despite the success with the outreach activities and the farmer adoption, the challenge remains to develop sustainable sack distribution networks. Issues identified include reluctance of wholesalers to order sacks due to risk associated with a new product, inability of wholesalers to develop effective distribution networks due to difficulties with enforcing contracts, and limited access to capital. The PICS project is exploring new ways to address some of these issues, including using non-traditional distribution systems for PICS sacks such as agro-dealers networks, and adapting distribution systems that have worked for cell phones and other products. Keywords : Cowpea, Bruchids, Hermetic storage, Supply chain, West and Central Africa