Estimation of post-harvest foodgrain losses

Abstract

Considerable foodgrain losses are incurred at different post-harvest stages every year. The work done in this field has been reviewed in brief and observed that the reliable and objective estimates of those losses are not available in this country. Such estimates are very important rather pre-requisite for carrying out control measures more efficiently and economically and also for improving post harvest technology so as to minimise those losses. keeping the importance in view statistical methodology for estimating foodgrain losses at different post-harvest stages, viz, harvesting, threshing/shelling, cleaning/winnowing, drying, handling (at farm/market level), transportation, packaging, storing, etc. at farm, intermediary and warehouse level have been discussed. The methodology for working out the damage due to different causes such as temperature, relative humidity, moisture content. incidence of pests and diseases and other biological and chemical changes, etc., on the basis of the observations taken in the storage has also been discussed.