The influence of logistics management on food security in Ghana

Abstract

Research problem warehouse Food insecurity has been reported to be increasing in Ghana despite recent government logistics infrastructure (warehouses) efforts. It is important to understand the extent to which logistics affect the agricultural sector in Ghana as food production is a vital part of the agricultural sector and efficient logistics management is essential to its success, as such a well-run logistics operation can make the difference between a successful harvest and a poor one. Notably, Ghana’s food insecurity is snowballing in number and intensity and Ghana is among the countries with the highest post-harvest losses (PHL) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Several attempts have been made by successive administrations to curb the food insecurity issue with the adoption of contemporary policies involving the establishment of the infrastructure for poverty eradication programme (IPEP) initiative, nonetheless, these interventions influences are unknown as food security remains an earnest challenge for many households in Ghana. This study aims to develop a framework of logistics management that can be recommended to enhance food security. To design the framework, this study will measure the influence of logistics management on achieving food security in Ghana in objectives listed below: • Assess road transport type(s) for achieving food security in Ghana. • Measure warehouse packaging logistics contribution to attaining food security • Examine the relationship between logistics management and food security in Ghana • Analyse the influence of warehousing on Ghana's food security. • Examine the challenges of logistics management that affect agricultural food security • Recommend a Framework the government can adopt for sustainable improvement in logistics management in the food industry. Research methods and procedures This study adopted a mixed research methodology, where data was drawn from smaller holder farmers in two regions in Ghana. Questionnaire and interview schedules were deployed for data collection and analysed with regression, and correlation models as well as Sorensen's coefficient framework. Findings and conclusion At least 90 percent of foods produced in Ghana is found escaping post-harvest losses now with tricycle and head/human porterage being the primary means of transport, howbeit tricycle at (t (38) = 0.66, p=.51> level.05, n2 >0.01) achieves food security with more assurance, not despising the iii usefulness of Head/human porterage (t (38) =-1.57, p=.12, n2>1 percent) proving 99 percent safe to farmer PHL. This study finds that packaging logistics has a lesser impact on food security at R2 equaling one percent, p=0.029 in testing with the regression model. Overall, logistics management has an insignificant positive association with food security at p=0.073 and Pearson's R=0.149, positing a feeble (R2=1 percent) impact. The IPEP warehouse invariably has a weak insignificant influence on the recorded food security as evidenced by Pearson's correlation 'R=0.130'or r=0.067, with a p=0.188, R2 equaling one percent. Smallholder farmers fairly agree to the ranking of logistical challenges impeding food security in the agricultural sector indicating the most severe issue to be “high transportation costs”. Kendall's coefficient (W) of 0.388 or 39 percent is obtained, indicating that food security status depends on the ranking of enumerated challenges. Implication A meagre impact does logistics management have on Ghana’s food security denoting 99 percent of the country’s food security inexplicable by the predictor variable. The IPEP warehouse is doing little to stimulate contemporary food security of the nation meaning other latent variable(s) spearhead the rise of the criterion thus, craving for a further search Recommendation A need for a conscious national plan to furnish the warehouses with relevant technologies is proposed in this write-up, to improve the warehouse operations/functionality, a few relating to individual logistics are discussed as follows; Transport logistics; the government to setup efficient transport by supplying tricycles (be self-owned or under a private partnership), integrating ICT to ease farmer access economically IPEP WRS; The IPEP model is to be an effective WRS kind of warehouse, therefore, the study advocates for the provision of unit load formation equipment (e.g., pallets and skids), transport equipment (e.g., sack-trucks and pallet/lift-trucks), storage equipment (e.g., shelves and racks), dryers, cleaners, timely fumigation, and consistent/stable electricity befitting a WRS. iv Packaging logistics; The Government regulates or subsidises the cost of the hermetic bags, takes charge of its supply, and provides packaging and repacking machines to fast-track packaging at the warehouse. Contribution to the Field of Study Efficient logistics management is essential to the success of food production which is a vital part of the agricultural industry/sector as such a well-run logistics operation can guarantee a successful harvest. To warrant efficiency in the management of logistics in the agricultural industry/sector modern technologies involving digitisation should be adopted/embraced to streamline logistics operations, improve customer/farmer experiences, reduce cost and gain a competitive edge in the market. This includes the use of cloud-based platforms, and mobile apps to manage logistics operations more efficiently to reduce food post-harvest losses to an acceptable minimum. Adopting and utilising new technologies efficaciously can be achieved sustainably in Ghana’s agricultural industry/sector by partnering with technology vendors, hiring skilled Information Technologists, and training farmers as well as logisticians like warehouse management on the need to embrace modern technologies for a successful food post-harvest handling, therefore the study augments the interconnected disciples of logistics and supply chain management with their interdependence/interconnected operations serving as an enabler for developing economies governments (like Ghana) to harness advancements following transformations thereby ensuring competitiveness and facilitating growth via paving the way for innovation, growth and sustainability to enhance food (like grains) production catering with sufficiency for population growth’s high demand. Thus, stimulating developments in technologies by embracing the challenge of digitisation and bettering technologies for the efficacious handling of food (grains) within and across nations via a conscious national plan.