Food Storage Challenges and Post-Harvest Losses and their Implications for Household Food Security in the Tolon District of Northern Ghana

Abstract:

The study investigated the relationship between food storage practices and household food security in the Tolon District of Ghana. A mixed-methods approach was employed, with quantitative data collected from     384 randomly selected households via structured questionnaires and qualitative insights gathered through in-depth interviews with key informants. Descriptive statistics and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis were used to identify determinants of food security, while thematic analysis provided contextual depth. The findings reveal a heavy reliance on traditional storage methods (e.g., bagging: 34.4%; yam barns: 18.0%), with only 14% of households using improved technologies. This resulted in significant post-harvest losses, averaging 18.7% for maize and 9.4% for rice. Regression analysis identified post-harvest losses (β = -0.314, p = 0.002), the use of improved storage methods (β = 0.276, p = 0.011), and access to diversified food sources (β = 0.221, p = 0.018) as significant predictors of household food security. Qualitative evidence substantiated these findings, highlighting manual harvesting, pest infestation, and inadequate transportation as primary drivers of loss. The study concluded that post-harvest management is a critical determinant of food security and recommends targeted interventions to promote improved storage technologies (e.g., hermetic bags), enhance farmer training on post-harvest handling, and support livelihood diversification for vulnerable households.