PICS Lessons Learned Workshop Charge to Participants

Objectives Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) goals Update on PICS activities Charge to workshop participants Notes on workshop organization

PICS History Hermetic grain storage is an ancient technique. The triple layer plastic bag grew out a collaboration between Purdue and IRAD in Maroua, Cameroon, starting in In the 1990s there were sporadic attempts by NGOs to extend the technology for farmers. Adoption studies in 2003 and 2004 showed: – Farmers wanted to use hermetic techniques, but lacked the knowledge to do it correctly. – Businesses in West & Central Africa were not aware of the potential demand for triple bags

PICS Vision Shared with BMGF Our vision is that within five years 50% of the cowpea stored at the farm-level in West and Central Africa will be appropriately stored with non- chemical, hermetic storage. The benefits from improved storage will promote cowpea trade in the region. Better storage and increased trade will increase the incomes of small-holder farmers in West and Central Africa and the food supply of consumers in the region.

PICS Specific Objectives 1)determine the best design for a one-piece commercially available triple-layer plastic cowpea storage bag; 2)disseminate information on non-chemical cowpea storage methods to extension services, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and farmers; 3)demonstrate the most effective cowpea storage methods in each village in the major cowpea production areas of West and Central Africa; and 4)develop and foster local businesses that provide one piece triple-layer plastic storage bags.

Cowpeas are one crop that can be produced in harsh arid conditions

Cowpeas are an important cash crop in West Africa

Extensive Cowpea Trade in West & Central Africa In 1990s over 300,000 Tons Traded Annually

Village Cowpea Storage Demonstrations Anticipated 2007/ / / / /2012 Actual Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Totals Niger 5, ,630 5,730 Burkina Faso 2, , ,315 Nigeria 10, , ,634 Mali 2,000 2,1110 Benin Togo 1, Senegal 1, ,1681,785 Ghana 2,000 Cameroon 1,451 1,465 Tchad 1, Totals 28, ,494 15,071 5,262 1,87230,899 PICS activities had not begun PICS village activities completed Making the Technology Available PICS in over 30,000 Villages in 10 Countries

Approach to PICS Bag Supply Chain Vendors Semi-wholesalers Manufacturers Distributors/ wholesalers Retailers and roaming vendors - Media efforts with Radio and TV - PICS consultant Work with local manufacturers and entrepreneurs Over 1000 PICS vendors in West and Central Africa

Fasoplast COFISAC EmbalMali Polytank Lela Agro Current market for a manufacturer Potential future market Past market Six Local Factories Manufacturing PICS Bags in West and Central Africa Kontiala

PICS Bag Supply Chain Developed from Project to Private Sector July Jan ,820,000 PICS bags sold

Charge to PICSLL Participants: 1)Outline lessons learned from each of the ten countries where PICS was implemented. 2)Identify the potential for using hermetic technology for storage of crops beyond cowpea which should incorporate the entomological, mycological and socio-economic issues. 3)Make recommendations regarding the future of PICS technology.

Keep PICSLL On Time! Other than a few overview presentations, most talks are: Limited to 12 minutes 3 minutes for questions of clarification Total time is 15 minutes

Keep PICSLL On Time! Techniques to keep us on time: – Moderators will use flash time cards (i.e. 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, time is up) to help speakers pace their presentations. – At 11 minutes into the talk the Moderator will stand up. – At 12 minutes the Moderators will walk toward the podium and stand next to the speaker. – At 15 minutes the Moderators will thank the speaker and announce the following speaker.

Expected Workshop Outputs: Recommendations on: – Scalable extension methods for widespread technology adoption, – Ag input supply chain development approaches for Africa, and – Use of hermetic technology for crops other than cowpea. A Journal of Stored Products Research (JSPR) special issue with Murdock, Baributsa and Lowenberg-DeBoer as guest editors

A Moment of Silence for: Moffi Ta’ama – played a key role in the invention of hermetic storage in triple layer bags. Aminu Malamfashi – Bayero University Kano lecturer who was instrumental in development of PICS in Nigeria Clément Faye – PICS coordinator for Senegal in 2010 and 2011 Other PICS partners not mentioned here.