A practical appraisal of on-farm storage losses and loss assessment methods in Malawi. 1: The Shire Valley agricultural development area

This paper describes a survey of farm-level grain storage losses in Southern Malawi and the practical problems of such surveys. The limitations of two different loss-assessment methods are discussed with regard to observed discrepancies but it is concluded that losses in up to 10 months storage were 3% or less for maize and less than 2% for sorghum. Such losses demonstrate the suitability of the grain varieties stored in the area to conservation during the characteristic dry season. The considerable likelihood of greater losses with high-yielding but more susceptible varieties, if these were introduced to the area, is indicated

Mixing insecticide powders with grain for storage (Rural Technology Guide 3)

This guide describes ways of mixing insecticidal powders with grains and pulses just before they are stored in order to prevent damage by insects. lt is a guide for the extension worker to help him introduce the methods to farmers. The pictures with descriptions on the right-hand pages show the steps involved. The left-hand pages give a more detailed explanation of the methods. The methods described in this guide apply only to grain that the farmer is going to eat and not to grain he keeps for seed

A practical appraisal of on-farm storage losses and loss assessment methods in Malawi. 2: The Lilongwe land development programme area

A survey of farm level storage losses in Central Malawi showed that overall losses were low. Mean losses of maize and groundnuts, by weight, were less than 1.5 per cent and less than 1 per cent respectively. Such losses demonstrate the suitability of local crop varieties and methods of storage to conservation in this area. The likelihood of increased losses of higher yielding but more susceptible varieties of maize, if these are introduced, and the consequent possible need for insecticides, which are not needed at present, are noted

A practical assessment of food losses sustained during storage by smallholder farmers in the Shire Valley Agricultural Development Project Area of Malawi 1978/79 (G154)

An assessment of losses caused by insects and sustained by farmers who stored maize or sorghum on their farms was undertaken in the Shire Valley Agricultural Development Project area in Southern Malawi. During the survey current recommended methodology for undertaking loss surveys and for sample analysis was critically evaluated under practical conditions. Probability procedures and stratified, random sampling methods were used to choose the farmers who participated in the exercise. Each farmer was visited as soon after harvest as possible so that the amount of produce stored could be ascertained. Thereafter, at approximately monthly intervals local extension workers collected samples of produce for analysis and information regarding food consumption patterns from each farmer. At each visit the extension worker had to complete a questionnaire. Some of the questions were found to be too complex for the field worker, though in general the information retrieved provided useful data. Samples of grain were analysed for losses by determining the weight of a standard volume of grain (SVW) and comparing the extrapolated dry weight to that of a known sample. A second method, that of counting and weighing damaged and undamaged grains was also employed. Difficulties were experienced with both methods because of the relatively large variations in the results obtained and because of the low levels of loss. Significantly greater losses were recorded by the SVW method than by the count and weigh method. Most farmers did not store their produce beyond the dry season when insect activity was low. The lack of insects was reflected in the low losses obtained, 1 - 2% for sorghum and 2- 5% for maize. However, even those few farmers who stored through the rains did not lose a significantly greater percentage

Study of an outbreak of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) in Tanzania. Report of the Tropical Products Institute (G164)

A comprehensive survey of the Tabora region of Tanzania was undertaken to observe the distribution of Prostephanus truncatus (the greater grain borer), a pest of stored maize. The pest was found in grain stores in 46 villages from a total of 56 examined, in all four districts of the region, being absent only in eastern lgunga, a sorghum-growing area, and in the southern part of the Taoora district. The pest was found in the Shinyanga region and in markets in the Mwanza region and at stores at Kilosa in the Morogoro region. After 4-6 months storage, maize samples collected from the villages in the Tabora region exhibited as much as 34% weight loss. Damage on this scale in a period of very dry weather, in very dry maize (average 11.2% moisture content) is extraordinarily high and demonstrates the destructive nature of this pest. Without doubt the pest will cause both a serious and widespread grain shortage in the region later and a dearth of seed grain for the coming growing season. Besides attacking maize, the pest also heavily damaged cassava and, to a lesser extent, other commodities such as groundnuts. Wooden implements and storage structures were also damaged. From the survey it is concluded that P. truncatus has become very well established in West Central Tanzania and is of major importance as a pest of stored produce. The outbreak must be seen to be of grave significance to the region. Unless effective measures to control and contain it are rigidly enforced the pest will spread throughout the rest of the country. The beetle poses a very real threat throughout East and Central Africa. Insecticide trials were established to assess the effectiveness of different treatments for the control of this pest in farm storage. These trials will continue. This account of the investigation was prepared whilst the team was in Tanzania. It was presented together with specific recommendations for the control and containment of the infestation at a final meeting between the team and the Ministry of Agriculture. The Tanzanian authorities have already taken steps to inform the international community through the FAO. They also agreed that the scientific results of the investigation could be made generally available

Effect of nuclear interactions of neutral kaons on CP asymmetry measurements

We examine the effect of the difference in nuclear interactions of ${K}^0$ and $\bar{K}^0$ mesons on the measurement of CP asymmetry for experiments at $e^+e^-$ colliders - charm and $B$-meson factories. We find that this effect on CP asymmetry can be as large as 0.3%, and therefore sufficiently significant in interpreting measurements of CP asymmetry when neutral kaons are present in the final state.Comment: accepted to PR

Improvements in the storage and marketing quality of grain legumes: Final technical report

The objective of this three-year project based in northern Ghana was to identify qualitative and quantitative losses in the storage of grain legumes by small-scale farmers and develop means of reducing the losses. The project used participatory surveys to monitor the loss in value during storage, both on-farm and in the markets. These surveys showed that heavy losses occurred during storage in markets

A review of the storage and marketing systems of major food grains in Northern Ghana

This study was conducted to determine the constraints to maintaining good quality grain in store on the farm and to marketing produce surplus to food needs. Two regions were visited, Northern Region, where maize is the main cereal staple, and Upper East, where maize is replaced by millet and sorghum. Farmers and traders were interviewed in groups or individually in both villages and markets

Conducting ethanobotanical surveys: an example from Ghana on plants used for the protection of stored cereals and pulses (NRI Bulletin 77)

A survey was undertaken in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to assess the use of plant materials with insecticidal and repellent properties on local farms. Emphasis was placed on plant materials used to protect stores containing cereals and pulses. A total of 27 plant species were recorded as having protective qualities against storage pests of cereals and pulses. The species Chromolaena odorata (L.) [siam weed], Azadirachta indica A. Juss [neem] and Capsicum annuum L. [chilli pepper] were the most commonly used to protect stored food. In addition to plants used to protect stored products, bio-activity against insect pests was reported in approximately 95 plant species. The most frequently mentioned plant species were Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. [bamboo], Citrus spp. [lime, lemon and orange], Datura innoxia Mill., Manihot esculenta Crantz [cassava] and Piper umbellatum L. The survey found that 26% of the farmers interviewed used botanicals in some form for stored product protection; however, only a small percentage (7%) relied on them exclusively to protect their harvest from storage pests. Smoking of maize stores was the most common method of control in most districts (28%), with the exception of the major maize-growing districts (Ejura and Mampong), where the majority of farmers used conventional insecticides for the control of stored product pests