On-Farm Grain Storage and Challenges in Bagmati Province, Nepal

Abstract

Farmers in Nepal lose up to one-third of stored grain to pests and diseases. This results in food insecurity and loss of income. To mitigate these losses, farmers use several approaches including pesticide applications on stored grains. We interviewed 241 farmers in Bagmati Province, Nepal, to assess the current on-farm grain storage practices and challenges to improve postharvest management. The results show that rice was the most stored crop (median 1150 kg). About half of farmers stored for at least nine months and grain was mainly used for home consumption. Grain was stored by 66.5 and 69.8% of farmers in granaries (rice) and plastic drums (legumes), respectively. Insects were the most important challenge during storage, and farmers used pesticides to control them. Farmers were more likely to use insecticide on grain (p = 0.000) if they stored rice, used traditional granaries, and had insect damage during storage. The use of improved storage methods (e.g., hermetic bags) was very low for rice (3.5%). There is a need to improve on-farm grain storage by disseminating storage innovations to address postharvest challenges in important crops such as rice.

Impact of storage technologies and duration on insect pest population, post‐harvest losses, and seed quality of stored chickpea in Ethiopia

“…Storage plays a critical role in the food supply chain of chickpeas in Ethiopia, as grains are stored for use as food reserves or seeds for the following season. Studies have revealed that post‐harvest losses are most significant during the storage phase 4,6–8 . Traditional storage facilities, including bamboo, wood, mud structures, and earthen pots, are susceptible to insect infestations, resulting in significant post‐harvest losses 9 .…”

“…Studies have revealed that post-harvest losses are most significant during the storage phase. 4,[6][7][8] Traditional storage facilities, including bamboo, wood, mud structures, and earthen pots, are susceptible to insect infestations, resulting in significant post-harvest losses. 9 Additionally, the scarcity of superior seeds and the lack of a well-organized supply chain and reliable market information system further hinder chickpea productivity and production in Ethiopia.…”

Insecticidal toxicity of essential oil of Nepalese Acorus calamus (Acorales:Acoraceae) against Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera:Curculionidae)

“…This weevil causes the loss of up to 80 % in tropical countries [ 4 , 5 ], whereas in Nepal losses due to this insect ranges from 18 to 40 % [ 6 ]. One of the primary method to control insect pests of grains during storage is chemical pesticides [ 7 ]. Though pesticides treatment to grains seems effective and easy to use, it may cause toxic effects for humans, the environment and not-target organisms.…”

Effect of Hypoxia on the Lethal Mortality Time of Adult Sitophilus oryzae L.

“…Thus, the damage caused by S. oryzae results in losses of quantity and quality, leading to a reduction in market value [4]. Most farmers use a variety of strategies to manage S. oryzae during grain storage, including pesticides such as phosphine fumigants, organophosphorus, and pyrethroid insecticides [5,6]. The use of chemical pesticides often comes with many challenges including ineffectiveness due to insect resistance or misapplication, health hazards to applicators and consumers, and environmental contamination [7,8].…”