BY JOSEPH OKPAIRE
Image Source: www.von.gov.ng
We all know that no particular process is 100% efficient, this is also true for all production process or operations in agriculture. After nurturing a crop from germination up till maturity, there is a possible event of recording losses after harvest.
Post-harvest loss simply means products that loses economic value after harvest. In simple terms, products that are damaged and cannot be sold for a reasonable profit margin. As the term implies, these are losses to the farmer or producer. Post-harvest losses can occur at different levels of the product’s value chain. In our previous article, we discussed the value chains of agricultural products.
Losses can occur during;
a. Harvest
b. Processing
c. Storage
d. Transportation
Post-harvest losses can occur in either forms or product quality i.e. when the integrity of the product is compromised and there is a decrease in the quality of the product.
Over time, we have discovered that farmers do not make plans to fully reduce post-harvest losses during harvest. There is a popular saying “He who fails to plan, plans to fail”. Most smallholder farmers do not plan harvesting operations. When they notice the produce are ready for market, they enter the farm, harvest and start looking for buyers. No prior plans for logistics, sourcing for off-takers, or anybody that is ready to buy the produce at any price.
Choices like these increases postharvest losses. This because, when there are no off-takers, farm produce loses its quality spending a long time on the farm.
Secondly, if by chance a suitable off-taker is identified, the speed of harvesting and primary processing (cleaning, sorting, etc.) which is in most cases done in a haste contributes significantly to postharvest losses. A large degree of post-harvest losses is recorded during this primary processing stage of agricultural value chains.
Thirdly, during storage, losses are recorded if agricultural products are not properly stored to maintain their integrity. Maize to be processed for storage in Silos, have to be properly processed and fortified with properties that reduce the effect of pest infestation, or the aftermath effects of field infested crops. If this is not done, the maize will be infested with maize borers, reducing the quality of the maize.
Ways of reducing postharvest losses include;
a. Identifying the end product of the farm produce; if the produced will be stored for further processing, mitigate the effects of field pests on the products by applying eco-friendly treatments on the products.
b. Harvest your crops before that attain maturity.
c. If the product will be sold fresh, identify suitable off-takers before harvesting.
d. Plan other aspects after harvest. This includes logistics, storage, processing, etc.
e. Employ ad-hoc staff to reduce the workload of harvesting operations. Don’t think you and family members alone will be able to harvest 2hecatres of maize.
f. If you are employing ad-hoc staff, train them prior to harvest on the proper ways of harvesting and enforce disciplinary measures if they default.
g. Products that require primary processing operations such as drying, grading, etc. should be done with mechanical devices if possible.