Commercialization of Purdue Improved Crop Storage

PICS3 is the 3rd phase of the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project aims to improve market access, cash incomes, and food security among smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa by reducing post-harvest storage losses. PICS technology is a cost-effectivetriple-layer hermetic storage bag. This inexpensive technology permits farmers to store their grains without the use of insecticides, provides them the flexibility to sell at a time of their own choosing, and allows them to supply healthy and clean food to their families throughout the year.

PICS3 works with private entrepreneurs, including seven plastic manufacturers, distributors and vendors to produce and sell PICS bags to farmers in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Malawi. The project is also partnering with national and international research/extension organizations and NGOs to create demand for the PICS technology across Sub-Saharan Africa. Effort to build markets for hermetic technologies will reach farmers in 14,000 villagesin the seven target countries.


PICS3/PICS flyer


NEWS

Enhancing food security using PICS bags

Effective storage of grains such as maize, beans, cowpea, groundnuts and rice has always been a major challenge to smallholder farmers, not only in the country, but the rest of Africa. Grains are mostly destroyed by pests and insects within three months of storage due to the lack of proper storage methods for farmers and food dealers.

8/24/2015