UNIVERSITY OF ESWATINI

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

STUDENT NUMBER: 138883

INITIALS+& SURNAME: S.L MSIBI

PROGRAMME: MSc IN CROP PROTECTION

COURSE: CPR606 (CPR606) RESEARCH METHODS AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS)

ASSIGNMENT TITTLE: PROPOSAL WRITING

DATE : 24 SEPTEMBER 2021

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Include table of contents

Traditional storage systems and their influence in moulding and insect infestation of Maize
(Zea mays L. ) in EsSwatini

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.10.01Background
In Eswatini like in most Sub-Sahara African countries, agriculture is the backbone of the
economy, contributing significantly to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Grains are the
major product, of which maize (Zea mays) is the main contributor. Maize is a vital food crop
cultivated in most parts of the country, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Globally, it is the third most grown cereal crop that serves as the primary source of food to more
than one billion people.

Although a large percentage of the country is engaged in agriculture, Eswatini Swaziland

remains a food deficit country, a situation which has been aggravated in recent times by severe
droughts. Food self-sufficiency in the Kkingdom declined from 96% in 1997 to 47% in 2002,
resulting in ever increasing importation . (NMC, 2004). Food self-sufficiency has been difficult
to achieve because pests, diseases and other agents compete with humans in their struggle to
ensure that adequate food is available to meet the population requirements.

Efficient storage of food plays a vital role in the attainment of food security. Storage is therefore
very important in all circumstances whether there are surpluses or deficits. FAO (1994) reported
that although efforts in the last two decades have resulted in the development of a number of
storage systems suited to many local conditions, traditional storage methods are still predominant
especially in rural areas. It is estimated that 60-70% of food grain produced in the country is
stored at home level in traditional storage structures and food grains are protected in home level
by using indigenous technology (kKnowledge). It is likely that storage systems of maize with
components such as time of harvest, type of storage structure, hygiene and insect infestation,
interact and influence fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination. Hell et al. (2000) found
higher aflatoxin levels when maize was stored under or on top of the roof of farmers’ houses,

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than in ventilated granaries. Aflatoxins are amongst the most poisonous mycotoxins and are
produced by certain moulds. There are two important mycotoxigenic fungi, produced by moulds,
mostly found associated with stored maize. These are Aspergillus flavus that produces aflatoxins
(Hell et al., 1995), and Fusarium verticillioides (previously known as F. moniliforme Sheldon),
which produces fumonisins (Marasas et al., 1979) Weevils, (S. zeamais) and borers (P.
truncatus) are the most common insects to attack stored maize. To overcome the ill effects of
synthetic pesticides, the best alternative is to going back for adopting traditional knowledge for
protecting the food grains and seeds from insect pest attack. Hence the traditional knowledge
should be documented at each and every instance which can be used by the present and next
generation. This study will collect and document traditional maize storage structures used by the
farmers in EesSwatini and their influence on moulding and insect infestation of stored maize.
The study will determine which of these systems provide the most conducive environments for
the production of the most common attackers of stored maize.

1.2.0 Problem statement

Justification
1.30.o2 Hypothesis
Storage systems of maize with components such as time of harvest, type of storage structure,
hygiene and insect infestation, interact and influence fungal infection and mycotoxin
contamination,

1.40.03 Research objectives

1.4.1
The purpose of the study is to collect and document traditional maize storage practices followed
by the farmers of EesSwatini and their influence on contamination of maize by moulds, insect
infestation and ultimately loss of produce.
1.4.2
1.40.14 Specific General objectives s

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 1. To determine as which of the which of these traditional storage methods is the least most
conducive for the production of the two most important mycotoxins.
2. To determine tThe effect of insect damage on Fusarium infection and subsequent
fumonisins contamination in maize was also evaluated.
3.

1.0.5 Research questions

1. What are the most commonly used traditional maize grain storage practices in ESwatini?.
2. Which of these methods will be found to be the least most conducive for the promotion of
maize contamination by moulds and insect infestation
3. What are the remedial measures that can be adopted towards solving these problems?

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Structure this section as
Description of the Study Areas
Sampling Procedure
Data Collection
Data Analysis
The study will be descriptive and primarily used data collected from small-scale
Farmers/households, large-scale farms, millers, and government storage facilities in the four
regions of the country. A total of 240 respondents will be interviewed nationwide. Interviewed in
each of the four regions of the country through the assistance of the extension agents. The type of
crop storage structures to be assessed are twelve different kinds of structures namely: hat metal
silos, bags, platforms, cribs, metal tanks, concrete tanks, warehouses/rooms/old houses,
metal/plastic drums, earthen/metal pots, plastic/metal buckets, bottles and tins. This study will be
conducted over a period of 6 months starting from April –October. This period is ideal because it
is when freshly milled maize is being prepared to be stored or already stored.

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Three instruments, a questionnaire, interview schedule and observation form will be used in the
collection of primary data. These will be prepared taking into account relevant social,
demographic, economic and technical factors. The instruments will be validated for face and
contents by specialists in the areas of research. They will be further pre-tested at the Rural
Development Areas (RDAs) by interviewing respondents who will did not form part of the final
respondents. The pre-testing will be very useful as it will enable the researchers to revise the
instruments. Since the main thrust of the research is traditional storage structures, it has been
considered necessary that whoever is to be interviewed must own and use crop storage
structures.

If you have to collect samples from the storage structures for further analysis, indicate this as
well.

Data will be analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using the Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences (SPSS) version 10.0 to derive statistics of frequencies and percentages. The
rResults will presented in tables and charts.

3.0 Expected output

1. The expected output of this research is Tto identify the commonly used traditional
storage facility /ies that provide the most conducive environment for production of
moulds and insect infestation which results to higher volume loss of stored maize.

2. To iIllustrate the effective ways to improve or upgrade these traditional storage systems
to prevent damage to stored maize.

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 4.0 WORK PLAN

ACTIVITIES MONTHS AND WEEKS

APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTMBR OCTOBER

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Preparation of
Research tools
(questionnaire)
Engage Ministry of
Agriculture (MoA)
Identify
respondents through
MoA

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Data collection
Data analysis
Report Writing

5.0 BUDGET

List Description of items Cost (E)

1.0 Personnel 4 data collectors @ 65/day for 30 days 7800

Sub-total 7800

2.0 Stationery Questionnaires =250 copies @ 1.00/copy 250

3 Boxes of pens @ 75/box 225
8 Folders @ 5/folder 40
Sub-total 515

3.0 Transport Transport to Shiselweni for 15 days at 240 3600

Transport to Lubombo for 15 days at fare 150 2250
Transport to Manzini for 15 days @ fare 70 1050
Transport to Hhohho for 15 days @ fare 170 2550
Sub-total 9750
Grand Total 18065

6.0 REFERENCES

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FAO (1994). Grain storage techniques: Evolution and trends in developing countries.
Edited by D.L. Proctor, FAO Consultant, FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin No.109.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome.

Hell K, Udoh J, Setamou M, Cardwell KF, Visconti A (1995). Fungal infection and
mycotoxins in maize in the different agro ecological zones of Benin and Nigeria, West
Africa. In: Cardwell KF (ed.) Workshop on Mycotoxins in Food in Africa, November 6–
10, 1995, Cotonou, and Republic of Benin. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.
p. 31.

Hell K, Cardwell KF, Setamou M, Poehling HM (2000). The influence of storage

practices on aflatoxin contamination in maize in four agroecological zones of Benin,
West Afr. J. Stored Prod. Res. 36:365–382

Marasas WFO, Kriek NPJ, Wiggins VM, Steyn PS, Towers DK, Hastie TJ (1979).
Infection, geographic distribution, and toxigenicity of Fusarium species in South African
corn. Phytopathol 69:1181–1185.

National Maize Corporation (2004). 2004 Annual Report. Matsapha, Swaziland

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 CPR606: RESEARCH METHODS AND EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS
RESEARCH PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA

Title of the proposal: Traditional storage systems and their influence in moulding and insect
infestation of Maize (Zea mays L. ) in Eswatini
Name of the student: S.L MSIBI Student ID: 138883

Academic year & semester: 2020/2021, 2nd Semester

No. Sections Evaluation Criteria Marks Marks

allotted obtained
1 Title Relevant and feasible 1 1
Clear and concise
Describes the contents of the proposal accurately
2 Introduction Sufficient, related and recent background information 7 6
presented
Clear statement of the research problem
Clear research gap identified
Hypotheses are clearly stated
Clear, specific and achievable objectives are given
3 Literature Critically analyses the existing knowledge on the 3 0
review proposed research.
Includes the strengths, the limitations and the gaps of
previous studies.
Recent and most pertinent literatures in the field of
study critically reviewed
Only aspects related to the topic covered
4 Materials Clear so that it can allow another researcher to judge 7 5
and methods the study and repeat the experiment.
5 Work plan All the activities listed with their time frame in a 2 1.5
logical way
The time frame is sufficient for the proposed research
activity
6 Budget Shows a clear relationship between the budget items 2 1.5
and research activities
Realistic, required and reasonable
Properly structured
7 References All references cited in the text are listed in the 3 2
references, and vice versa
Proper citation followed and all the citations used are
recent and pertinent for the research problem
Total 25 17