Effectiveness of hermetic systems in controlling maize storage pests in Kenya

Managing storage pests of maize: Farmers' knowledge, perceptions and practices in western Kenya

Triple bag hermetic storage delivers a lethal punch to Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) in stored maize

Reducing postharvest losses (PHLs) of food crops is a critical component of sustainably increasing agricultural productivity. Many PHL reduction interventions have been tested, but synthesized information to support evidence-based investments and policy is scarce. In this study, PHL reduction interventions for 22 crops across 57 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia from the 1970s to 2019 were systematically reviewed. Screening of the 12,907 studies identified resulted in a collection of 334 studies, which were used to synthesize the evidence and construct an online open-access database, searchable by crop, country, postharvest activity and intervention type. Storage technology interventions mainly targeting farmers dominated (83% of the studies). Maize was the most studied crop (25%). India had the most studies (32%), while 25 countries had no studies. This analysis indicates an urgent need for a systematic assessment of interventions across the entire value chain over multiple seasons and sites, targeting stakeholders beyond farmers. The lack of studies on training, finance, infrastructure, policy and market interventions highlights the need for interventions beyond technologies or handling practice changes. Additionally, more studies are needed connecting the impact of PHL reductions to social, economic and environmental outcomes related to Sustainable Development Goals. This analysis provides decision makers with data for informed policy formulation and prioritization of investments in PHL reduction. Reducing postharvest crop losses is vital to sustainably increase agricultural productivity. This analysis reveals a need for systematic assessment of postharvest loss reduction interventions across the value chain, targeting stakeholders beyond farmers, and for a more diverse range of food crops, to shape future policy decisions.

/pdf/a-scoping-review-of-interventions-for-crop-postharvest-loss-2ig0l2yosk.pdf

A scoping review of interventions for crop postharvest loss reduction in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

The regulatory issues for diatomaceous earth (DE) cover three fields: consumer safety, worker safety, and proof of efficacy against pests For consumer safety, regulatory issues are similar to those for other additives, and a principal benefit of DEs is their removal by normal processing methods For worker safety, regulatory issues are similar to those for other dusts, such as lime The proof of potential insecticide values of DE may be assessed by using the analysis of physical and chemical properties of DE and its effect on grain properties and the proof of efficacy may be regulated by bioassay of standard design Integrated pest management (IPM), a knowledge-based system, is rapidly providing a framework to reduce dependence on synthetic chemical pesticides The main principle of post-harvest IPM is to prevent problems rather than to react to them The specific curative measures using synthetic pesticides should be applied only when infestation occurs DE and enhanced diatomaceous earth (EDE) formulations hold significant promise to increase the effectiveness and broaden the adoption of IPM strategies, thereby reducing the need for synthetic pesticides By incorporating DE in an effective IPM program, grain is protected against infestation, loss caused by insects is prevented and grain quality is maintained until the grain is processed Cases study data on the use of DE for commodity and structural treatment show that DE is already a practical alternative to synthetic pesticides in some applications

http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1820-3949/2013/1820-39491302077K.pdf

Diatomaceous earths: Natural insecticides

Do diatomaceous earths have potential as grain protectants for small-holder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa? The case of Tanzania

http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/PDF/Outputs/R8179ProjectNewsletter1.pdf

Small-scale farmer utilisation of diatomaceous earths during grain storage.

http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/PDF/Outputs/R8179t.pdf

L. Kitandu

Papers

Do diatomaceous earths have potential as grain protectants for small-holder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa? The case of Tanzania

Small-scale farmer utilisation of diatomaceous earths during grain storage.

Small-scale farmer utilisation of diatomaceous earths during grain storage. Project Newsletter Issue No. 2. (September 2003).