Losing a chunk of harvest to spoilage, pests and rough handling. What practical steps cut post harvest losses?
How can I reduce post harvest losses in my produce?
BBasavaraj Patil7mo ago · 260 views
5 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓7mo ago
Reduce post harvest losses by harvesting at the right maturity, handling gently, drying properly, and storing in clean, dry, pest free conditions. Harvest at correct maturity and in cooler hours; avoid dropping or overfilling crates that bruise produce. Dry grains to safe moisture before storage to stop mould and insect attack. Clean and grade to remove damaged units that spread rot. Store in clean, dry, ventilated structures or bags, protect against rodents and insects, and for perishables move quickly into shade or cold storage and to market fast. Good packaging in ventilated crates instead of overstuffed sacks cuts crushing during transport. Each step from field to market matters.
SShivanand Hubli6mo ago
Drying grain to the right moisture changed everything for me. Earlier I stored damp and lost a lot to mould and weevils. Now I dry properly first and losses dropped a lot.
MMallikarjun Goudar6mo ago
For tomatoes I switched to ventilated plastic crates from overstuffed sacks. Far less crushing and rot by the time they reach the mandi. Gentle handling pays.
CChannabasava Hiremath6mo ago
Harvesting in the cool early morning made a real difference to my leafy vegetables. Picked in afternoon heat they wilted before reaching the market. Small change, less loss.
VVishwanath Patil6mo ago
Rodents were eating into my stored grain until I cleaned the store fully and raised the bags off the floor on a wooden platform. Keep the godown clean and check often, that alone saved a lot.