PURDUE IMPROVED COWPEA STORAGE (PICS) SUPPLY CHAIN STUDY by Jeanne Coulibaly, Stephen D’Alessandro, Theodore Nouhoheflin, Casimir Aitchedji, Maiyaki Damisa, Dieudonné Baributsa and J. Lowenberg-DeBoer Working Paper #12-4 November 2012 International Programs in Agriculture Purdue University It is the policy of Purdue University that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action institution. PURDUE IMPROVED COWPEA STORAGE (PICS) SUPPLY CHAIN STUDY by Jeanne Coulibaly, Theodore Nouhoheflin, Casimir Aitchedji, Maiyaki Damisa, Stephen D’Alessandro, Dieudonné Baributsa and J. Lowenberg-DeBoer Department of Agricultural Economics and International Programs in Agriculture, Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907-2056
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[email protected] Working Paper #12-4 November 2012 Abstract The Purdue Improved Cowpea Storage (PICS) project was launched in 2007 with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project was designed to help farmers access low- cost and chemical-free cowpea storage technology designed to store their cowpeas at harvest affordably, with minimal loss, in order to take advantage of seasonal price variability. One of the specific objectives was to develop supply chains for triple-layer plastic bags to make the technology available to farmers and provide opportunities to local businesses. To achieve the supply chain objective, the project has been pioneering investments in the development of factory-to-farm distribution systems across West and Central Africa.