Analysis of Preservative Methods Used in the Storage of Cowpea Grain by Farmers and Marketers in Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Analysis of Preservative Methods Used in the Storage of Cowpea Grain by Farmers and Marketers in Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Mohammed, Adamu., *Abdulrazak, Musa Yaga., Kamaludeen, Mohammed

Department of Biological Science Education, School of Science, Adamawa State College of Education, Hong

*Corresponding Author

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2025.10040071

Received: 02 April 2025; Accepted: 12 April 2025; Published: 17 May 2025

ABSTRACT

The study analyzed the preservative methods used in the storage of cowpea grain by farmers and marketers in Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study aimed to identify the types of chemicals used in preservation of cowpea by the respondents, compare the shelf life of cowpea grains using different method of storage, ascertain the effects of each measure on human health, identify the most effective measure of storage and the constraints associated with each of the method used as a treatment. Experimental and survey research design was used for the study. The former involves practical experimentation with chemicals / method used in the storage of cowpea which required Randomized Complete Block Design (RBCD) of 5×5 which will serve as Replication 1 and 2, while the later will make use of questionnaire to achieve objectives I, III and IV.  The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and graph. The result unveiled that most of the farmers and marketers (88%) in the study area make used of aluminum phosphide in storing beans grain. It was found that cowpea grains stored using pics sac (125kg), pepper (124kg), Dichlorophous (124kg), permethrin (125kg), aluminum phosphide (125kg), jerry can (125kg) and drum (125kg) were of tremendously aid in the control of insect infestation as the weight of the grains stored did not loss. The use of chemicals in storing of cowpea grain have negative effect on human health. The most effective means for storing grains include pics sac, pepper, jerry can and drum as the maintain both the quality and quantity of cowpea grains. The constraints associated with the method used in storing cowpea grains include most of the device requires air tight that is anaerobic condition in the vacuum which one have to be vigilant. not suitable for large storage, time consuming and pics sac might be damage by rodents. The study recommends that there is need for public enlighten campaign on the health hazard of chemicals used in the storing of cowpea grains through National Orientation Agency and both governmental and non-governmental organizations should assist in assist in the provision of some of the storage devices that cannot make use of chemical as preventive.

Keywords: Preservative, Methods, Storage, Cowpea grain, Farmers and Marketers.

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Grains are seeds from grasses called cereals that were first cultivated over nine thousand years ago. Among the first to be cultivated were wheat and barley in the Middle East, rice and millet in Asia and Africa, and corn or maize in Central America. All these grains are still eaten today, along with many others like oats, rye and sorghum. Many grains are cooked and eaten whole or made into breakfast cereals. But grains like wheat, rye, millet and corn are usually ground into a powder called flour which is then used to make foods like bread, cakes and tortillas. Like grains, Cowpea are edible seeds, but are usually bigger than grains and come from flowering plants instead of grasses. They have been cultivated for thousands of years in all parts of the world. Broad Cowpea, mung Cowpea and adzuki Cowpea were first cultivated in Asia, while lima Cowpea, pinto Cowpea, kidney Cowpea and haricot Cowpea (now used to make “baked Cowpea”) were first cultivated in South America. The cocoa bean, from which chocolate is made, is also from South America, while Africa’s most famous bean by far is the coffee bean (Cristine et al,. 2023).

Insect infestation causes considerable loss due to the tunnelling activity of the larvae in the seed. It has been estimated that the loss in weight of a seed of cowpea due to a single larva of Callosobruchus maculatus (a common pest of cowpeas) can be between 3.39 and 5.465% (Brooker, 2019). In Nigeria Caswell (2020) stated that about 5500 tons/year of a one million ton harvest of cowpeas (5.5%) are consumed by bruchids. Giles (2019) reported that comprehensive and reliable information concerning the quantity of losses caused by insects can only be obtained from well-designed surveys involving the measurement of losses using proven methods of loss assessment

They are edible seeds of various plants in the Poaceae (Gramineae) family, which is one of the flowering plants whose stems have internodes. Such as, rice, wheat, corn, and so on. Grains are divided into two types, namely true cereals and pseudocereals. True cereals are types of grains that come from the Poaceae family, for example rice, wheat, oats, corn, barley, rye, sorghum, and millet. While pseudocereals are types of grains that are not from the poaceae family, for example quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth. Based on processing, grains are divided into two types, namely whole grains and refined grains, what’s the difference. To this end the study intend to  analyze the preservative method used in the storage of Cowpea grain by farmers and marketers in Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Efficient post-harvest handling storage can tremendously contribute to socio-economic empowerment in developing nations. Farmers use traditional storage containers for storing food grains for their own need. These storage structures are comparatively cheap, eco-friendly and impart high shelf life to the stored commodities. These traditional storage systems could be applied in modern storage areas with minor modification, could save food commodities that would be damaged by insects. Although chemical methods of management of stored produce pests are highly successful, they leave behind toxic residues. The traditional wisdom and methods of storage can protect commodities from insect infestation for substantially longer periods (Adesina et el., 2019). Abudulai et al. 2014; Aboagye et al. 2017; Manandhar et al. 2018., Sugri et al. 2021; Bidzakin et al. 2022 studied on cowpea grains storage and found that storage is a positive step towards food security, especially in periods in the year where production is low and there are various improved grain storage methods including the use of synthetic chemicals, although they are associated with other problems such as residual effects in the products. As a result, different ecofriendly methods have been used with mixed results

With the available studies, unfortunately there have been few good studies of the over-all losses caused by insects in stored cowpea graoins and none of such have been carry out on comparing cowpea grain storage in the intend study area and farmers do sell their product mostly during harvest time and the price is generally low. Thus, there is need to compare the different cowpea grain storage methods as well as the most preferable product after storage b the consumers. The aim of the study is to analyze the preservative methods used in the storage of Cowpea grain by farmers and marketers in Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. To achieve this aim, the following objectives are set:-

1. Identify the types of chemicals used in preservation of cowpea by the respondents.,
2. Compare the shelf life of Cowpea grains using different method of storage.,
3. Ascertain the effects of each measure on human health.,
4. Identify the most effective measure of storage and
5. Identify the constraints associated with each of the method used as a treatment

Experimental Site

The experimental site was located in Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. 

Research Design

Experimental and survey research design was used for the study. The former involves practical experimentation with chemicals / method used in the storage of Cowpea whic required Randomized Complete Block Design (RBCD) of 5×5 which will serve as Replication 1 and 2, while the later will make use of questionnaire to achieve objectives I, III and IV.

                                               R_I                                                                                          R_II

T₁ = Dichlorophous

T₂= PICS Sac

T₃ = Rhombus

T₄ = Permethrin

T₅ = Pepper

T₆ = Aluminum phosphide

T₇ = Jerry can

T₈ = Drum

Figure 1 Experimental Design

Experimental Materials

Method of Data Collection

The data were collected using weighing balance and physical observation of the grains as well as questionnaire though personal interview may be incorporated when the need arises. The experimental one was rely on the data collected on the quantity and quality of Cowpea grains under treatments as well as acceptability for consumption by human being. The quantity of cowpea grains were measured using weighing balance by taking the weight of the grains after storage for the 8 months. Also, from the population of cowpea farmers and marketer in the study area 300 farmers were proportionately sample which served as sample size so as to achieve objective I, III, IV.

Method of Data Analysis

The data were analyze using descriptive statistics and chart.

RESULTS AND DISCSSION

Types of chemicals used in preservation of cowpea by the respondents

In Table 1, it shown the types of chemicals used in preservation of cowpea by the respondents in the study area. It was pointed out by most  (88%) of the respondents disclosed that the make used of aluminum phosphide and less number of the respondents used of Permethrin and Dichlorophous as represented by 29% and 26% respectively. This implies that most of the farmers and marketers in the study area make used of aluminum phosphide in storing beans grain. This is collaborate with the study of Cristine et al. (2023) who found that farmers made use of different measures in storage of cowpea grain.

Table 1: Types of chemicals used in preservation of cowpea in the study area

*Multiple responses

Source: Field survey, 2025

Compare the shelf life of Cowpea grains using different method of storage

The longevity of cowpea grains stored using different methods/preventive was shown in Figure 2. The weight of the grains was weighed using weighing balance for the treatments under trial for 8 months. It was found that the grains stored using pics sac, pepper, Dichlorophous, permethrin, aluminum phosphide, jerry can and drum were of tremendously aid in the control of insect infestation as the weight of the grains stored did not loss.  But with the rhombus, the quantity reduces drastically. The none reduction of weight of grains in the device and the measures were due to anaerobic condition and the chemicals kills any of the insects that will invade into the stored grains. This corresponds with the findings of Adesina et al. (2019).

Figure 2: Weight of cowpea grains (in Kilogram) of different storage/Preventive methods

Effects of each measure on human health

Table 2 shows the results on the effects of each measure on human health used in preservation of cowpea by the respondents in the study area. It was pointed out by predominant (85%) of the respondents pointed out that used of permethrin in storing cowpea grains bring about stomach upset, used of Dichlorophous lead to health hazardous (71%) and aluminum phosphide can kill individual (92%).  This signifies that used of chemicals in storing of cowpea grain have negative effect on human health. This is in line with the study of Samuel et al. (2024).

Table 2: Effects of using different measures in storing cowpea grains on human health

Source: * Multiple responses

The most effective measure of storage

In Figure 2, it can be deduced that the most effective means for storing grains include pics sac, pepper, jerry can and drum as the maintain both the quality and quantity of cowpea grains as use of chemicals in storing of cowpea grain have negative effect on human health.

Constraints associated with methods of storing cowpea grains

The constraints associated with each of the method used in storing cowpea grains were tabulated in Table 4 below obtained through verbal interview. The results show that most of the device requires air tight that is anaerobic condition in the vacuum which one have to be vigilant. not suitable for large storage, time consuming and pics sac might be damage by rodents.

Table 4: Constraints associated with each of the method used as a treatment

CONCLUSION

Insect infestation causes considerable loss due to the tunnelling activity of the larvae in the seed. It has been estimated that the loss in weight of a seed of cowpea due to a single larva of Callosobruchus maculatus (a common pest of cowpeas). Efficient post-harvest handling storage can tremendously contribute to socio-economic empowerment in developing nations. The result unveiled that most of the farmers and marketers in the study area make used of aluminum phosphide in storing beans grain. It was found that the grains stored using pics sac (125kg), pepper (124kg), Dichlorophous (124kg), permethrin (125kg), aluminum phosphide (125kg), jerry can (125kg) and drum (125kg) were of tremendously aid in the control of insect infestation as the weight of the grains stored did not loss. The use of chemicals in storing of cowpea grain have negative effect on human health. The most effective means for storing grains include pics sac, pepper, jerry can and drum as the maintain both the quality and quantity of cowpea grains. The constraints associated with the method used in storing cowpea grains include most of the device requires air tight that is anaerobic condition in the vacuum which one have to be vigilant. not suitable for large storage, time consuming and pics sac might be damage by rodents.

RECOMMENDATIONS

with the outcome of the findings, the study recommend the following:-

1. There is need for public enlighten campaign on the health hazard of chemicals used in the storing of cowpea grains through National Orientation Agency.
2. Both governmental and non-governmental organizations should assist in assist in the provision of some of the storage devices that cannot make use of chemical as preventive.

• There is also need to trained farmers and marketers on how to make used of some of the storage device that are effective so as achieved the desired goals that high profit from the venture through well trained extension agents.

REFERENCES

1. Adesina, J., Nameirakpam, B., Dinabandhu, S., Yallappa, R. (2019). Traditional methods of food grains preservation and storage in Nigeria and India.
2. Ashish M.. Paschal, M.. Ajay, S. (2018). An Overview of the Post-Harvest Grain Storage Practices of Smallholder Farmers in Developing Countries
3. Cristine, M.., Concepcion, D,. I. and Kurt A. R. (2023). Estimating Environmental and Economic Impacts of Hermetic Bag Storage Technology.
4. Nameirakpam, B., Dinabandhu, S. and Yallappa, R. (2019). Effectiveness of different grain storage practices of smallholder farmers in developing countries, Annals of Agricultural Sciences, 64( 2): 196-205
5. Samuel, A., Abraham, A. I., Ndebugri, J. and  Kugbe, R. K. (2024). Effect of Rice Husk Ash and Neem Extracts on Callosobruchus maculatus in Stored Cowpea in Northern Ghana, International Journal Of Food Propagation, 4( 1): 16-25