Salient factors in the low utilization of PICS bags (triple-bagging) in Nasarawa local government area of Kano state, Nigeria

The paper asserts that cowpea is a major nutritional legume in West Africa and that the grain experiences great losses at postharvest stages especially at storage. It posits that hermetic storage which the PICS is one of have proved to be a very successful storage option for cowpea storage without the use of agro chemicals but that there are daunting problems with its utilization. The study revealed among others that having outlets where the PICS can be bought(29%), making the PICS cheaper (45%), convince grain merchants that the PICS is more effective than regular storage bags(19%), and lastly forcing it on grain merchants by government would lead to more usage of the PICS (7%). Based on the opinion of the cowpea merchants it was recommended that the selling price of the PICS be reviewed downwards, and that there should be amassive enlightenment campaign for the use of the PICS; advantages of the PICS over regular bags and how to use the PICS should be demonstrated in all grain markets in the region by extension bodies both public and private.

Keywords:

Hermetic , Underutilization , Insects , Merchants , Storage , Cowpea