Author : Tran Quang Trung

Summary : This study examined the nature and extent of corn storage by farmers and traders. The profitability of storing corn was determined and the effects of physical and socio-economic factors on the farmer's and trader's decision on storing corn were evaluated. The results showed that 53.5% of the corn farmers decided to store all or partly sell and partly store their produce while 57.5% of the corn traders did the same. The corn farmers adopted the traditional practice of storing corn while traditional and modern practices were employed by the traders. All the farmers and traders did not have to pay for corn storage fees except depreciation because they all own the land wherein they have built storage houses. The factors found to be significantly affecting the farmer's decision on corn storage were price of corn after storage, volume of corn harvested, costs of corn storage, total annual household income, number of years with experience in farming, crop season and extension. Also, the factors affecting trader's decision on storing corn included quantity procured, storage losses, price of corn after storage, storage costs, annual income of the trader, gender of the trader, situation of borrowing and type of the trader.