Abstract:
The aim of this study was to describe smallholder farmers’ perception of household maize
storage. Household storage plays a crucial role in supplying maize between seasons. Despite
their continued usage, they are not safe enough and cause high losses to smallholder maize
farmers, thus forcing them to sell immediately after harvest. Consequently, they have to buy
maize at higher prices for household use. The description of the different storage types used by
smallholder maize farmers and their perception of using household storage as a strategy to
increase their earning was done qualitatively. Through focus group discussions (FGDs), data
was gathered from nine focus groups from 108 respondents in eastern Uganda. The results
show that smallholder maize farmers use eight different storage types acquired either through
purchase, construction or contribution. Some storage types were specific to certain districts.
The cost of acquiring the storage type varied according to the type, size and location. Farmers
used these storage types due to accessibility, flexibility, affordability, and ancestral
attachment. Finally, the study concludes that the farmers’ perception of using storage for business was positive.