adminhuge losses can be incurred at this final stage of farming.
Farmers can incur huge grain losses after harvesting due to carelessness when it comes to storage.
To minimise storage losses, Agritex advises farmers to disturb pests.
This can be achieved by harvesting the crop at the correct stage, ensuring the grain has the correct moisture content and using safe insecticides.
The crop should be mature at harvesting and should be dry or it will be difficult to complete drying after harvesting where there are no appropriate facilities available.
If the crop is left until too late, it may be affected by rains leading to rotting or moulding.
Moulds will cause rapid deterioration during storage.
Storage grain moisture content
- Should not be more than 12,5 percent.
lIf harvested with a high moisture content, the grain should be dried in cribs.
Method of storage
- Should be stored in airtight stores to exclude oxygen.
- The traditional way of achieving this is by filling up open spaces with wood wash so that less air is mixed with grain.
- Rapoko chuff can also be used for prevention of weevils.
Using safe insecticides.
- The keeping quality of grain will be greatly improved if a harmless insecticide is used.
- Insecticides vary in their effectiveness according to the crop stored so farmers should seek assistance from experts when using chemicals for grain protection.
Online Reporter