Village Cereal Aggregation Centres (VCAC)

Original project description

Village Cereal Aggregation Centres (VCACs) introduce post-harvest technologies and support farmers to engage in safe near-farm cereal storage, in order to increase food security and their capacity to trade competitively. VCACs comprise grain processing and bulking facilities, fully equipped with aflatoxin-testing k its, moisture meters, threshing, drying and bagging gear, and hermetic storage. The initiative offers farmers comprehensive training in post-harvest management including aflatoxin and pest control methods, grain marketing and trading standards, and business and financial management.

Social impact: The initiative is creating new community-level co-operatives, which enhance the farmers’ ability to engage in joint production, processing, storage and marketing activities. This will lead to increased incomes, food security and improved social welfare.

Environmental impact: By encouraging improved production and proper land and water utilisation, the initiative encourages farmers to adopt good environmental protection practices and reduce the use of harmful pesticides in food storage.

Economic impact: Post-harvest losses in cereals are reduced by over 25% by increasing profitability in cereal production activities. This helps farmers to gain better returns on their investment.

Current project updates

Last updated: 30 November 1999

Growth plans description

- Establish a demonstration project benefitting 2,000 households.
- Undertake capacity-building for 1,500 farmers and develop 40 master trainers in post-harvest management.
- Establish a national stakeholder forum to monitor the project and support policy development.
- Aggregate 30,000 bags of maize for food security and trading.

Current Needs

- Offer extensive training to inform farmers about post-harvest losses attributable to aflatoxin and pest infestation.
- Undertake field research to support the adoption of hermetic storage.
- Mobilise value chain partners to provide financing, insurance, agro-inputs and markets.
-Generate evidence to support public policy development.

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