Boxall, R.A. and Gillett, R. (1982) Farm level storage losses in Eastern Nepal (G157). [Working Paper]

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Abstract

A study of farm level storage losses was undertaken in the Eastern Hills of Nepal between May 1979 and June 1980. The project was a collaborative one involving the Gurkha Reintegration Scheme and the Kosi Hill Area Rural Development Programme, both of which are supported by the UK Overseas Development Administration. Technical support and advice to the project was provided by the Tropical Products Institute during three consultancy visits. The project began with a study of the minor wheat crop which provided the opportunity for field staff to gain essential experience and to develop a methodology for assessing storage losses. The main study of maize losses was undertaken between July 1979 and June 1980 and a limited study of losses occurring during the storage of paddy was conducted between November 1979 and June 1980. The published methodology for post-harvest loss assessment had to be adapted to the difficult field situation in the hills of Nepal and a simple method of estimating weight loss from observations of the percentage of damaged grains in a sample was used in the assessment of maize losses. The method, when compared with the preferred bulk density method of estimating weight losses, proved to be adequate. Modified bulk density methods were used to determine losses in wheat and paddy. The results of the survey demonstrated that farm level storage losses were lower (approximately 5%) than previously reported (10-30%) and in consequence tentative proposals for a programme to reduce losses by introducing new storage structures and pesticides, even if practical to implement, were shown to be unjustifiable.

Item Type:	Working Paper
Additional Information:	[1] ISBN: 0 85954-145-2.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	storage loss, postharvest loss, Eastern Nepal, maize loss, loss assessment, farm level storage
Subjects:	S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) S Agriculture > SB Plant culture
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Food & Markets Department
Related URLs:	Organisation
Last Modified:	06 Dec 2019 16:22
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/10752

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