(SATG) Somali Agriculture Technical Group INTRODUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF POST- HARVEST AND GRAIN STORAGE SYSTEMS IN THE BAY REGION- SOMALIA Presented

(SATG) Somali Agriculture Technical Group

INTRODUCTION AND INTRODUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF POST- IMPROVEMENT OF POST-

HARVEST AND GRAIN STORAGE HARVEST AND GRAIN STORAGE SYSTEMS IN THE BAY REGION-SYSTEMS IN THE BAY REGION-

SOMALIASOMALIAPresented at the Regional Workshop on Dryland Presented at the Regional Workshop on Dryland

Farming Practices in Emergency and Post-Farming Practices in Emergency and Post-Emergency ContextEmergency Context

October 6-7, 08October 6-7, 08Nairobi, KenyaNairobi, Kenya

HUSSEIN HAJIHUSSEIN HAJI


OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

IntroductionIntroductionPost-harvest lossesPost-harvest lossesGrain storage systemsGrain storage systemsExperiences and lessons learned from other Experiences and lessons learned from other

regions within the country using improved regions within the country using improved storage systemstorage system

A proposed plan for improving post-harvest A proposed plan for improving post-harvest and storage losses in the in the Bay Regionand storage losses in the in the Bay Region


IntroductionIntroduction

Sorghum is the major Sorghum is the major crop crop

Production is low due Production is low due to to:to to: Moisture stressMoisture stress Lack of inputsLack of inputs Pre-harvest Pre-harvest

constraintsconstraints Post-harvest and Post-harvest and

storage limitations storage limitations


Post-harvest LossesPost-harvest Losses

Post-harvest and storage grain losses are Post-harvest and storage grain losses are estimated as 20-30% of the total production. estimated as 20-30% of the total production.

In Southern Somalia, this translates to economic In Southern Somalia, this translates to economic losses ranging between 50,000 and 80,000 losses ranging between 50,000 and 80,000 tones per year tones per year

corresponding to an estimated value of US$ 15 corresponding to an estimated value of US$ 15 and 25 million, respectively. and 25 million, respectively.

These losses are mainly due to lack of proper These losses are mainly due to lack of proper handling of the crop soon after harvest and the handling of the crop soon after harvest and the use of the traditional storage structures use of the traditional storage structures


Grain Storage systemsGrain Storage systems

I- traditional I- traditional Underground pits – Underground pits –

most commonly usedmost commonly used

II- OthersII- Others SacksSacks Drums (metal and Drums (metal and

plastic)plastic) bagsbags


Tradition Storage systemTradition Storage system

Factors contributing to grain storage losses Factors contributing to grain storage losses in underground pits: in underground pits: TemperatureTemperatureHumidityHumidity

Higher temperature and higher humidity provide Higher temperature and higher humidity provide optimum conditions for disease development optimum conditions for disease development and spreadand spread



ProblemsProblems Migration of moisture from Migration of moisture from

the surrounding soil wallsthe surrounding soil walls Exposed to heavy rains Exposed to heavy rains

and floodsand floods Development of fungi and Development of fungi and

insectsinsects Conducive conditions for Conducive conditions for

rodentsrodents Multiplication of fungi Multiplication of fungi

called Aspergillus – deadly called Aspergillus – deadly to humansto humans



Grain discolorationGrain discolorationLoss of grain quantity and quality traitsLoss of grain quantity and quality traits



Post-emergency study conducted in the Bay Post-emergency study conducted in the Bay Region by GTZ indicate that in all tested Region by GTZ indicate that in all tested pits, moisture and temperature were pits, moisture and temperature were conducive for fungal development, conducive for fungal development, therefore, grains had potential aflatoxins therefore, grains had potential aflatoxins contaminationcontamination



How to improve the traditional system?How to improve the traditional system?1.1. Improving post-harvest practicesImproving post-harvest practices

2.2. Improving the storage systemImproving the storage system



I. Improving post-harvest practicesI. Improving post-harvest practicesMoulded and damaged grain should be Moulded and damaged grain should be

separatedseparated Improved sun dryingImproved sun dryingRapid collection in case of excessive rainRapid collection in case of excessive rainTransportation (grain damage and spelling)Transportation (grain damage and spelling)Packing, loading and handlingPacking, loading and handling



II. Improving the II. Improving the traditional systemtraditional system Coating pit wall with Coating pit wall with

maize/sorghum sticks maize/sorghum sticks or plastic sheetsor plastic sheets

Digging drainage Digging drainage system around the pitssystem around the pits

Establishment of pits Establishment of pits in elevated positionin elevated position


Experience and lessons learnedExperience and lessons learned

Storage in drums and plastic containersStorage in drums and plastic containers Gaining popularity in parts of southern Somalia Gaining popularity in parts of southern Somalia

and Somaliland)and Somaliland) Inaccessible to rodents, efficient against insects Inaccessible to rodents, efficient against insects

and sealed against entry of waterand sealed against entry of water Grain conserve their market quality and value for Grain conserve their market quality and value for

up to 5 yearsup to 5 years Significant reduction in post-harvest lossesSignificant reduction in post-harvest losses In 2007, 78% of the beneficiary farmers in In 2007, 78% of the beneficiary farmers in

Somaliland were found utilizing the new drum Somaliland were found utilizing the new drum systemsystem


Experience and lessons learnedExperience and lessons learned

Disadvantages:Disadvantages: Limited capacity Limited capacity

(max. 200 kg)(max. 200 kg) In high agriculture In high agriculture

potential areas like potential areas like the Bay region, bigger the Bay region, bigger storage capacity will storage capacity will be required be required


Household metal silosHousehold metal silos Proposed storage Proposed storage

technology for the Bay technology for the Bay RegionRegion

Similar in concept to the Similar in concept to the drum storagedrum storage

Has been tested in many Has been tested in many countries with measurable countries with measurable successsuccess

It has helped many African It has helped many African countries reduce storage countries reduce storage losseslosses

It can be built locally with It can be built locally with different sizes of storage different sizes of storage capacitycapacity


Household metal silosHousehold metal silos

It’s simple, efficient It’s simple, efficient and can store grain and can store grain for longer period of for longer period of time without altering time without altering grain qualitygrain quality

Will farmers to store Will farmers to store grain and sell product grain and sell product when the market price when the market price is highis high



Target groupsTarget groupsThe farmers within the project areaThe farmers within the project area artisans/craftsmenartisans/craftsmenSomali agriculture professionals and Somali agriculture professionals and

technicians involved in the implementation of technicians involved in the implementation of the actionthe action



The process:The process:Train master trainers on silos constructionTrain master trainers on silos constructionTrain artigans from different villagesTrain artigans from different villagesOrganize field tours and demonstrationsOrganize field tours and demonstrationsTrain farmers on proper use of the silosTrain farmers on proper use of the silosEstablishment of artigan centresEstablishment of artigan centresPromotion of the new technology through Promotion of the new technology through

available media outletsavailable media outlets


SummarySummary

Improvement of pos-harvest and storage Improvement of pos-harvest and storage facilities are cost effective and contribute to food facilities are cost effective and contribute to food securitysecurity

Improved storage will allow a continues supply Improved storage will allow a continues supply of food throughout the year either for domestic of food throughout the year either for domestic consumption or for tradeconsumption or for trade

It will provide a reserve for contingencies such It will provide a reserve for contingencies such as drought as drought

Allow the farmers to sell at a time when prices Allow the farmers to sell at a time when prices are favorableare favorable

Will reduce the exposure to aflatoxinsWill reduce the exposure to aflatoxins


THANK YOU

Documents

(SATG) Somali Agriculture Technical Group INTRODUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF POST- HARVEST AND GRAIN STORAGE SYSTEMS IN THE BAY REGION- SOMALIA Presented