Evaluation des structures locales de stockage des grains et des graines dans le Département des Bamboutos, Cameroun

Abstract

Post-harvest food losses remain a major problem in sub-Saharan Africa. A study of local storage structures aimed at carrying out a diagnostic analysis of post-harvest losses in grains and seeds in the Bamboutos department, West region, Cameroon. A questionnaire survey was carried out among 240 producers in 12 villages, spread over 3 subdivisions. Air temperature and relative humidity data were collected over 80 days at two storage stores in this study area. Twelve samples of food infested by insect were taken and deposited in the entomology laboratory of the Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences at Dschang University for identification. It emerges from this investigation that corn is the only grain stored by producers. Beans and peanuts are mostly stored seeds, while pistachios and soybeans are seeds stored by few farmers. Three structures are used for grain storage: granaries (86.25%), cribs (10.42%) and stores (3.33%). Among the containers, two are mainly used for seed storage: barrels (58.38%) and bags (39.25%); buckets with lids are used by a few farmers (2.36%). The storage period of corn is between 8 and 12 months. The storage period of peanuts is between 6 and 8 months and beans between 4 and 5 months. The use of chemicals, inert matter (ash) and plant substance (neem) are the three methods of protection used in Bamboutos. Bamboutos storage stores promote the development of molds and insects. Three major groups of biological agents are responsible for spoilage: insects (Callosobruchus maculatus F., Sitophilus zeamais M. and Acanthoscelides obtectus S.), rodents (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus and Mus musculus) and molds. Insects are the pests that cause the most damage to stored products according to 55.42% of producers. According to 23.58% of producers, it is rodents and 15% molds. Farmers estimate that the damage to the stock is between 7% and 30% after destocking of maize. This damage is between 2% and 5% after removal of beans from storage and less than 3% after removal of peanuts. Farmers underestimate the damage caused by pests on corn, which is around 40% after 10 months of storage in granaries. It is therefore essential for Cameroonian farmers to master and respect the storage techniques according to the storage structures and the foodstuffs stored.