Improved farm techniques will prevent grain losses

Improved farm techniques and training for farmers can reduce post-harvest grain losses, according to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).

Much grain is lost after harvest due to poor post-harvest management and lack of mechanised farm techniques. Post-harvest losses range from 15-50 percent of total production, and the causes are numerous.

Causes include harvesting at an incorrect stage of maturity, excessive exposure to rain, drought or extreme temperature, contamination by micro-organisms and physical damage that lowers the product value.

In India, crop damage are estimated at 20 percent worth Rs100,000 crore each year, due to spillage, damage from inappropriate tools, chemical contamination or rough handling during harvesting, loading, packing or transportation.

The losses can be significantly reduced if there is adequate training, as they occur from erroneous transport and packing practices.

Another major problem is the inadequate and insecure storage facilities in many developing countries.

To make technologies such as metallic silos accessible to small farmers, interventions are needed in other areas. In many developing countries, farmers cannot afford the materials to build the silos, so FAO has set up revolving funds and loans to facilitate the diffusion of better storage containers. Other interventions involve establishment of innovative institutional mechanisms such as warehouse receipt systems.

With population expected to peak in 2050 and greater urbanisation in many developing countries, grains will have to be transported over longer distances. As a result, greater efforts are needed to reduce grain losses, and significantly greater investment in cold and dry storage infrastructure and first-stage processing equipment are seen as necessary.