Problem that technology is supposed to solve :

This technology reduces post-harvest losses, estimated at 30 to 40%. The use of PICS bags implies a conservation of cowpeas in good conditions (loss = 0). In Niger, cowpea production is estimated at 1,500,000 tons in recent years. Taking only 10% loss on only half of the harvest, i.e. 10% of 750,000 tons, this gives total estimated losses of 75,000 tons. At 200 F/kg of cowpea, the losses would amount to 15,000,000,000 CFA francs.

Technical characteristics of the technology :

- Good investment for the producer by extending the shelf life to sell at the best price

- Can be reused for at least 3 years

- Triple bagging technology can have a significant economic effect on a country scale

Economic characteristics of the technology

- Acquisition cost :

- 10.000 tons cowpea conservation by triple bagging request 200.000 bags investment, or 1.000 F per bag a amount of 200.000.000 FCFA (200. million FCFA) what would give potential added value of 1.500.000.000 FCFA.

- 50.000 tons cowpea conservation would request 1.000.000 bags investment, or 1.000F/bag a amount of 1.000.000.000 FCFA (1 billion FCFA) what would give potential added value of 7.500.000.000.

- Economic profitability :

- An investment of FCFA 200,000,000 would generate a capital gain of FCFA 1,500,000,000. 

- An investment of 1,000,000,000 FCFA would generate a capital gain of 7,500,000,000

- Comparative advantage :

Limits of the technology :

Technical sheet