Executive Summary

The objective of this three-year project based in northern Ghana was to identify qualitative and quantitative losses in the storage of grain legumes by small-scale farmers and develop means of reducing the losses. The project used participatory surveys to monitor the loss in value during storage, both on-farm and in the markets. These surveys showed that heavy losses occurred during storage in markets. Participatory surveys provided data on the current post-harvest situation and identified the main constraints to the storage and marketing of pulses in northern Ghana. This included: • the quantity of cowpea and bambara typically stored by farmers and traders; • the duration of storage; • the reasons why this storage is not prolonged; • the extent of the damage due to insect pests; and • the price fluctuations both in time and due to insect damage. The surveys also identified methods which farmers and traders were using to control losses. Storage losses and insect damage were monitored using a rapid assessmen