Managing the challenges in post harvest maize value chains in Busia district Uganda.

Abstract

The study focused on managing the challenges in the post harvest maize value chain in Busia district. The study objectives were: To examine the inbound logistical challenges in the post harvest maize value chain, establish the operational challenges of the post harvest maize value chain and to identify the outbound logistical challenges in the maize value chain in Busia district. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted and was mainly descriptive in nature. The key findings of the study indicate the following objective,.The first was to examine the inbound logistical challenges of the post harvest maize value chain in Busia district and findings were weak collaboration amongst the players in the value chain, lack of access to proper storage facilities, high cost of storage, inadequate information to farmers and the small size of farms. The second was to establish the operations challenges of the post harvest maize value chain in Busia district and the findings were: poor machinery employed by farmers, poor roads from collection centers to the market, poor handling equipment and a long maize supply chain. Objective three was to examine the out bound logistical challenges in the maize value chain in Busia district and the findings were: lack of functional co-operative unions, lack of proper packaging materials. Also in addition, extreme weather conditions. Poor marketing of maize featured prominently as challenges to the maize value chain in Busia district. In conclusion there are still numerous challenges along the maize value chain in Busia district despite the fact that maize crop constitute substantially great value in both food diet and house hold income to many people in Busia district. The revival of cooperative societies, addressing the transportation truck issue, increase marketing information about maize to farmers, setting up basic infrastructure at the collection centres were proposed as key areas inorder to revitalize the maize value chain in Busia district.