Focus on . . . Crop Storage
We focus on crop storage this month, a subject of particular relevance at a time when so many countries are struggling to overcome the effects of natural disaster. Whether the news is of drought or flooding, intense cold, or storm force winds, farmers often lose at least one season's crop production and many livestock. The only hope for survival, for people and animals, is what's in store. Natural disaster aside, storing produce until prices rise is an obvious way of increasing farm income. We reveal some interesting new developments for protecting grain and tuber crops to ensure that losses in store do not outweigh the gains.
Storage pests: an ingrained problem?
Market liberalization has encouraged many farmers to store a greater proportion of their harvested crops on farm. They now have an opportunity to take advantage of seasonal price rises but these benefits can only be . . .
Aflatoxins: detecting the danger
A simple, cost-effective, tool which analyses and estimates aflatoxins in foods and feeds has been developed to help reduce the risks to human health and to promote the potential of high value export crops, such as . . .
Inert dusts: using the past to protect the future
Farmers fears about mixing synthetic chemical pesticides with their food, even if approved for use as food additives, have resulted in the successful evaluation of diatomaceous earths (inert dusts) for use as . . .
Plants as protectants against storage pests
Plant materials with insecticidal properties provide small-scale farmers with a locally available, biodegradable and inexpensive method of pest control for storage. Botanicals, such as . . .
Counting on cowpeas and other grain legumes
Grain legumes, such as cowpeas, are sold soon after harvest in many semi-arid areas of Africa, either because producers need cash to meet debts or because they cannot prevent losses due to . . .
Crop storage research - the poor relation?
A recent study by IFPRI, on the impact of post-harvest research by the CGIAR on food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable agriculture in developing countries, has identified . . .
Recent surveys conducted with farmers in Mozambique by World Vision have shown that rats are having a serious impact on the livelihoods and welfare of farmers and their families. Rural households . . .
Tropical tuberous crops: getting to the root of the problem
Root and tuber crops contribute significantly to basic food requirements in urban and rural areas, especially for poorer communities. With rising urbanization in many regions, there is an increasing need to store and transport fresh produce but . . .
