How SAT strategise to control cereal crop loss

Many farmers, especially smallholders, have been facing the challenge of crop loss both before and after harvesting, which has adversely

Many farmers, especially smallholders, have been facing the challenge of crop loss both before and after harvesting, which has adversely affected their overall productivity, particularly or cereal crops that are economically significant to them.

Here, cereal crops grown locally in Tanzania include maize, sorghum, millet, rice, and wheat and as well grown abundantly depending on the local climate. This abundance allows smallholder farmers, who are the primary producers, to earn income from these crops.

However, due to the challenges of crop loss before and after harvest, farmers have been incurring losses because their yields are lower than their expectations. This issue is seen as hindering their overall efforts to produce these crops.

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For example, Katavi Region is one of the areas in the country that produces maize and rice in large quantities. The problem of crop loss among farmers in this region also appears to be a challenge that is hindering their progress.

Commenting Ramadhan Salumu, the Chairman of Ifukutwa Village in Tanganyika District, Katavi Region, says that farmers in his village rely on cereal crop farming, especially maize. However, the major challenge they face is crop loss before and after harvesting.

Mr Salumu explains that normally, one acre of maize should yield 18 to 23 bags. However, due to the challenge of crop loss, farmers only end up with 5 to 7 bags per acre, which prevents them from achieving the expected progress in a timely manner.

“The issue of crop loss is hindering various efforts by the farmers in this village to improve their livelihoods, considering that many of the villagers depend heavily on agriculture for their economic well-being,” says Salumu.

The village chairman further explains that cereal crop farming not only promotes the development of their village and their Tanganyika District Council but also benefits their Katavi Region. Therefore, the presence of crop loss challenges is delaying progress.

According to the district’s Agricultural Officer, Sephania Waya, the problem of crop loss before and after harvest is widespread among many farmers in Tanganyika District, affecting both the farmers’ economy and the district’s council.

Mr Waya explains that many farmers lack proper understanding of best practices for harvesting, particularly for cereal crops. Consequently, significant amounts of crops are lost during harvest, transportation to home, and even during storage.

“Crop loss has been affecting the revenue of our council, as it heavily relies on income from cereal crops like maize and rice. Therefore, more efforts are needed to address this challenge,” Mr Waya says.

The Agricultural Officer notes that normally, one acre should yield 18 to 23 bags if the farmer manages the land properly, adhering to best agricultural practices, including harvesting and storing the crops correctly.

He adds that due to this loss, cereal crop production in the district has been less productive. Besides affecting the council’s revenue, farmers are also receiving lower yields than expected for the season.

Waya points out that crop loss not only affects the income of farmers and the council but also poses a risk to food security, as it could lead to the presence of mold toxins in the crops. He has called upon stakeholders to provide education to farmers to address this issue.

SAT interventions

In response to the challenges faced by farmers in the country, the Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), a local organization has decided to intervene by initiating a project aimed at improving the storage of cereal crops for smallholder farmers.

To ensure the effectiveness of this project, farmers are advised to store their cereal crops properly to avoid issues of crop loss before and after harvest. By doing so, many farmers, especially smallholders, will benefit more from cereal crop farming.

Muhammed Nkya, the Assistant Project Manager at SAT, speaking to cereal crop farmers in Ifukutwa Village, Tanganyika District, Katavi Region, encouraged them to properly store their crops to avoid the problem of crop loss.

Mr Nkya noted that many farmers across the country face the challenge of crop loss before and after harvest, a situation often resulting from a lack of knowledge on proper storage techniques for these crops.

“Some farmers harvest their cereal crops before they are adequately dry, and sometimes the storage methods are not safe, leading to crop loss and financial losses for the farmers,” Mr Nkya said.

In addition to crop loss, Nkya mentioned that improper storage could lead to the presence of mold toxins, which is dangerous for consumers. To address this issue, SAT has decided to provide education to farmers nationwide.

Mr Nkya explained that SAT, in collaboration with its partners, including the University of Zurich, has launched a Cereal Crop Storage Improvement Project aimed at helping smallholder farmers enhance their food security and nutrition before and after harvest.

“This second phase project promotes methods to control crop loss after harvest and improves understanding of the use of protective storage bags among farmers in the country,” Mr Nkya added.

Benefits of proper storage

Nkya states that proper storage of crops after harvest helps extend the shelf life of the produce and also enhances the protection of the crops, making it easier for farmers to sell their produce over a longer period without obstacles.

The Project Manager notes that proper storage ensures that the crops maintain their quality, including retaining their natural nutrients for a longer time. Effective storage can help farmers achieve good annual income from their crops.

“The best solution for crop storage is using protective bags, as they enhance food safety and ensure that the food reaches consumers in good condition. Therefore, farmers should use these bags to better protect their crops and ensure quality for consumers,” Nkya advises.

He urges cereal farmers to clean their storage areas and ensure that crops are thoroughly dried before storage. He also advises filling the bags and leaving sufficient space to tie them properly.

“A farmer should avoid opening the storage bags frequently to prevent air ingress, store the bags in a safe, shaded, and dry area. By doing so, we can avoid the problem of cereal crop loss in the country,” Nkya explains.

Additionally, Nkya encourages farmers to practice environmentally friendly agriculture by using organic farming methods, as this will significantly help in maintaining the surrounding environment and combating climate change.

John Nindi, SAT’s Relationship Manager, mentions that the project aims to reach farmers in four regions: Rukwa, Katavi, Dodoma, and Morogoro. He explains that farmers are also being encouraged to use protective bags, specifically PICS bags, for their storage needs.

Mr Nindi says that these bags are superior and more durable, capable of preserving crops for over two years without the use of industrial chemical preservatives. This also helps in protecting consumer health.

He notes that poor use of fertilizers and pesticides, weed invasions, early or delayed harvesting, excessive or insufficient water, improper handling during packing, and threshing are major causes of crop loss.

“Research shows that farmers lose between 15% and 40% of their crops from harvesting, threshing, to storage. Therefore, SAT has decided to educate farmers on how to avoid this loss, including advising them to use PICS protective bags for their storage needs,” Mr Nindi concludes.

Farmers’ perceptions

Salumu Abdullah, a farmer from Ifukubwa Village, stated that some farmers in the village lack knowledge about proper storage of crops before and after harvest. This lack of understanding has led to significant crop losses and financial hardships.

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He expressed gratitude to SAT for initiating the project and providing education on effective methods for managing crop loss. Abdullah believes that this initiative will enhance the productivity of cereal crops in his village and across the entire region.

Similarly, Hawa Juma mentioned that receiving technical advice from SAT has opened their eyes, and their cereal crop production will become more productive as a result. She has requested that the education provided be regularly reinforced, as people tend to forget past lessons.