Farmers’ Perception of the Use and Benefits of Cowpea Storage Methods in Northern Ghana
, Faustina Dufie Wireko-Manu 1,*, Robert Aidoo 3, Stanley Boakye-Achampong 3, Felix Charles Mills-Robertson 4 and Dieudonne Baributsa 5
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The objective of this study was to investigate the use, perception, and preference of different postharvest storage technologies among cowpea farmers in the Northern and Upper West regions of Ghana. This study is an effort to reveal the level of hermetic storage is practiced in Northern Ghana. Though hermetic storage is practiced in many parts of the globe, particularly in countries where bag storage is the predominant storage method, this storage method expanded over the last decade only. The publication of this manuscript is commendable because of its importance in the spread of information on hermetic storage from the farmer's perspective.
Author Response
Response: Thank you for the comments. We edited the document to address issues related to English.
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear Authors,
The manuscript titled “Farmers’ perception on the use and benefits of cowpea storage methods in Northern Ghana” aims to investigate the use, perception, and preference of different postharvest storage technologies among cowpea farmers in the Northern and Upper West regions of Ghana.
The paper is well structured, and it is easy enough to read.
Here are my remarks that hopefully would help to improve the article:
First, Authors must pay attention to the citation of references along the manuscript. In the text, reference numbers should be placed in square brackets [ ], and placed before the punctuation; for example [1], [1–3] or [1,3]. For example, in line 30, authors indicate references [1,4,5,6,7]. The correct form is [1, 4-7]. This mistake is repeated in lines 51, 57, 92, and 176. Please, correct it.
Introduction
Line 49. Please, include the meaning of PICS.
Materials and Methods
Line 64. Please, delete “ : ” at the end of the subtitle.
Line 76. Please, include the meaning of PH.
Discussion
Lines 184 - 192. I suggest authors provide more information about the differences found in the storage methods used by cowpea farmers in Northern and Upper West regions of Ghana. Please, expand this point of discussion.
Line 220. Please, delete “ . ” at the end of the subtitle.
Author Response
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Dear Authors,
The manuscript titled “Farmers’ perception on the use and benefits of cowpea storage methods in Northern Ghana” aims to investigate the use, perception, and preference of different postharvest storage technologies among cowpea farmers in the Northern and Upper West regions of Ghana.
The paper is well structured, and it is easy enough to read.
Here are my remarks that hopefully would help to improve the article:
First, Authors must pay attention to the citation of references along the manuscript. In the text, reference numbers should be placed in square brackets [ ], and placed before the punctuation; for example [1], [1–3] or [1,3]. For example, in line 30, authors indicate references [1,4,5,6,7]. The correct form is [1, 4-7]. This mistake is repeated in lines 51, 57, 92, and 176. Please, correct it.
Response: Addressed
Introduction
Line 49. Please, include the meaning of PICS.
Response: Addressed
Materials and Methods
Line 64. Please, delete “ : ” at the end of the subtitle.
Response: Addressed
Line 76. Please, include the meaning of PH.
Response: Addressed
Discussion
Lines 184 - 192. I suggest authors provide more information about the differences found in the storage methods used by cowpea farmers in Northern and Upper West regions of Ghana. Please, expand this point of discussion.
Response: Addressed
Line 220. Please, delete “ . ” at the end of the subtitle.
Response: Addressed
Reviewer 3 Report
This work is interesting and clearly written. It presents a summary of information about farmers’ perception on the use and benefits of cowpea storage methods in Northern Ghana. The authors present an interesting survey that documents the various factors involved in the quality of stored cowpea. I believe that this work is particularly interesting for the development of storage strategies not only for farmers in Ghana.
I have following comments that should be addressed before publishing the MS.
Introduction:
Line 32: However, within the first three (3) - fill in weeks or months
The introduction is clearly described, but I would recommend extending it. Sustainability is an international scientific journal, so I would recommend excluding some references (especially I would consider where there are three or more references) and expand the introduction with broader information on storage issues and the importance of storage pests.
For example:
I would recommend adding to Introduction a few minor remarks on the importance of storage pests for health hazards (eg. Hubert et al. 2018) and food Storage and Processing, ed. FJ Baur, pp. 280–93. Saint Paul, MN: Am. Assoc. Cereal Chem. etc.) and the risk of occurrence (eg Stejskal V, Hubert J, Aulicky R, Kucerova Z. 2015. Overview of present and past and pestassociated risks in stored food and feed products: European perspective. J. Stored Prod. Res. 64: 122–32, etc.).
I would also recommend providing general information on common methods of insecticide application in warehouses (Stejskal et al. Insects 2021).
I would also recommend adding information on the methods used in the field of sealing and possible resistance of storage pests (eg Bond and Buckland 1979 J. Econ. Entomol. 17, 770–771; Donahaye 1990. Phytoparasitica 18, 189–202, etc.)
I have no comments on the Material and Methods section. Everything is clear and clearly described.
I also have no comments on the Results section.
Discussions and conclusions are also clearly written.
Author Response
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
This work is interesting and clearly written. It presents a summary of information about farmers’ perception on the use and benefits of cowpea storage methods in Northern Ghana. The authors present an interesting survey that documents the various factors involved in the quality of stored cowpea. I believe that this work is particularly interesting for the development of storage strategies not only for farmers in Ghana.
Response: Thank you for the comment and feedback.
I have following comments that should be addressed before publishing the MS.
Introduction:
Line 32: However, within the first three (3) - fill in weeks or months
Response: Addressed
The introduction is clearly described, but I would recommend extending it. Sustainability is an international scientific journal, so I would recommend excluding some references (especially I would consider where there are three or more references) and expand the introduction with broader information on storage issues and the importance of storage pests.
For example:
I would recommend adding to Introduction a few minor remarks on the importance of storage pests for health hazards (eg. Hubert et al. 2018) and food Storage and Processing, ed. FJ Baur, pp. 280–93. Saint Paul, MN: Am. Assoc. Cereal Chem. etc.) and the risk of occurrence (eg Stejskal V, Hubert J, Aulicky R, Kucerova Z. 2015. Overview of present and past and pestassociated risks in stored food and feed products: European perspective. J. Stored Prod. Res. 64: 122–32, etc.).
Response: Since our paper is focused on cowpea storage in tropical Africa, it was difficult to fitting some of the papers into our message. However, we have added Hubert et al., 2018.
I would also recommend providing general information on common methods of insecticide application in warehouses (Stejskal et al. Insects 2021).
Response: This reference has been cited in the paper.
I would also recommend adding information on the methods used in the field of sealing and possible resistance of storage pests (eg Bond and Buckland 1979 J. Econ. Entomol. 17, 770–771; Donahaye 1990. Phytoparasitica 18, 189–202, etc.)
Response: Adding the information requested may extend the work beyond its intended purpose.
I have no comments on the Material and Methods section. Everything is clear and clearly described.
I also have no comments on the Results section.
Response: Thank you for the comment.
Discussions and conclusions are also clearly written.
Response: Thank you for the comment.
