The Warehousing Strategies Adopted to Contain Maize Post-Harvest Storage Losses in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study examined the warehousing strategies adopted in Zimbabwe to contain maize post-harvest storage losses. The government of Zimbabwe has invested heavily on various schemes aimed at boosting agricultural productivity for maize which is a staple grain for the populace. Despite all these efforts, the challenge of food insecurity has continued to confront Zimbabwe as a nation. On the same note, there have been various reports of maize losses in storage hence the study examined the warehousing strategies adopted to contain maize post-harvest losses in Zimbabwe. Primary data were collected from 225 employees in the Grain Marketing Board of Zimbabwe (GMB), the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development (MLAFWRD) and agricultural experts through the questionnaire and in depth interviews. The study found out that the Grain Marketing Board has effective warehouse strategies for the containment of maize post-harvest losses. However, while there were effective warehousing strategies, the losses due to the absence of sound post-harvest storage practices remained a concern. The study recommended a change in organisational operational culture to sensitise all human resources involved in maize storage in the Grain Marketing Board of the criticality of reducing maize post-harvest storage losses in Zimbabwe.