Post-Harvest Losses and the Impact of Their Prevention1

Author(s):  
H. A. B. Parpia
Keyword(s):  

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew E Reiter ◽  
Nathan Elliott ◽  
Dennis Jongsomjit ◽  
Gregory H Golet ◽  
Mark D Reynolds

Between 2013 and 2015 a large part of the western United States, including the Central Valley of California, sustained an extreme drought. The Central Valley is recognized as a region of hemispheric importance for waterbirds which use flooded agriculture and wetlands as habitat. Thus, the impact of drought on the distribution of surface water needed to be assessed to understand the effects on waterbird habitat availability. We used satellites to quantify the impact the recent extreme drought on the timing and extent of available waterbird habitat during the non-breeding season (July – May) by examining flooding in agriculture (rice, corn, and other crops) and managed wetlands across the Central Valley. We assessed the influence of habitat incentive programs, particularly The Nature Conservancy’s BirdReturns and the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Waterbird Habitat Enhancement Program (WHEP), at offsetting waterbird habitat loss related to drought. Overall, we found significant declines in open water in post-harvest agriculture (20 – 80% declines) and in managed wetlands (47 – 59% declines) during the 2013 – 2015 drought compared to non-drought years 2000 – 2011. Crops associated with the San Joaquin Valley, specifically corn, as well as wetlands in that part of the Central Valley exhibited larger reductions in open water than rice and wetlands in the Sacramento Valley. However, seasonal wetlands on protected lands had a marginally significant (P<0.10) higher amount of open water in the drought years than those on non-protected lands. A large fraction of the daily open water in rice during certain times of the year, particularly in the fall for BirdReturns (64%) and the winter for WHEP (100%), may have been provided through incentive programs underscoring the contribution of these programs. However, further assessment is needed to know how much the incentive programs directly offset the impact of drought in post-harvest rice or simply supplemented funding for activities that might have been done regardless. Our, first of its kind, landscape analysis documents the significant impacts of the drought on freshwater wetland habitats in the Central Valley and highlights the value of using satellite data to track surface water and waterbird habitats. More research is needed to understand subsequent impacts on the freshwater dependent species that rely on these systems and how incentive programs can most strategically support vulnerable species during future drought.



2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Priyadarshi ◽  
Srikanta Routroy ◽  
Girish Kant

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the post-harvest supply chain enablers (PHSCEs) for vertical integration to enhance rural employability, farmer profitability and rural produce marketability (i.e. market prospects) in the post-harvest supply chain (PHSC). The impact of vertical integration is also explored for various commercial produces. Design/methodology/approach A structural equation modeling (SEM) of PHSCEs for vertical integration was developed to enhance market prospects, rural employability and farmer profitability. The impact of business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer market prospects are explored in various dimensions for stakeholders such as farmers, manufacturers (processors), distributors and retailers. The fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (F-TOPSIS) was used to prioritize these PHSCEs to improve market prospects and rural employability. Findings The PHSCEs are clustered into three groups, namely, initiatives at the strategic frontier, initiatives at the tactical frontier and concerns for rural employability via vertical integration using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and SEM to prove the null hypothesis. With F-TOPSIS results, the availability of warehousing was found to be the most crucial enabler when observing the PHSCEs from the initiatives’ perspective. The technology adaptability and availability, institute for training and research and information infrastructure and information visibility were found to be the key PHSCEs when observed from PHSC stakeholders’ perspectives. Research limitations/implications The implementation of this study will improve the rural produce marketability, rural employability, B2B marketing (i.e. effective distribution) and subsequent value chains with the practice of vertical integration for fresh produce at the rural level. Practical implications The outcomes of this study have a key role in developing the rural regions and improving rural livelihoods via value addition. The awareness of commercial cultivation and value addition in rural areas needs to be improved. This will help farmers to earn better revenues with improved market prospects in comparison to the revenues obtained from the cultivation of staple/conventional crops. Originality/value In an era of cold chains and food processing, this study aims to disseminate awareness about value addition for commercial and fresh produces at the rural level. The implication of this study will improve rural produce marketability, rural employability and farmer profitability at the rural level with the level of vertical integration.



Author(s):  
Nwakor Flora Ngozi ◽  
Amadi C. Okey ◽  
Okwusi Moses Chukwunwike ◽  
Adiele Ezekiel Chinyere

Climate change is a global problem affecting agricultural production, a good adaptation strategy for this phenomena should be sought for increase agricultural production. The study was conducted in Nigeria to assess the Impact of Climate Change on root and tuber crops production among farmers in Nigeria. Secondary data were used for the study, they were collected from NRCRI Umudike and other individual publications. The result shows that climate change had negative impact on root and tubers crops production including potato. Adaptation of Agriculture to climate change in the areas of crop and animal production, post harvest activities and capacity building, divers friction of livelihood sources through the use of different farming methods and improved agricultural practices will help to reduce the impact of climate change. Examples are establishment of forestry, generation of improved and disease resistance crop varieties addition of value into agricultural products and post harvest activities for climate change adaptation and sustainable development.



2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Roma Witriyanto ◽  
Mochamad Hadi ◽  
Rully Rahadian

Inorganic paddies system has a negative impact as pests become resistant, environmental pollution and residual hazard. People who are aware of the impact of the application of synthetic chemicals have been applying organic farming. This research aimed to compare the abundance, diversity and dominance of soil macroarthropods  in the organic and inorganic paddies field in Village Bakalrejo, Susukan District of Kabupaten Semarang. Sampling of soil macroarthropods method used pit fall traps . Fifteen pit fall traps were set up in the research area and they were divided into three line whith respective line are 5 pit fall traps. Soil macroarthropods  which has been found were identified up to family taxon. The results of the research shows abundance of soil macroarthropods organic rice in paddy fields higher (297) than in inorganic paddy fields (236). Diversity of soil macroarthropods in every phase of rice growth (vegetative, reproductive, ripening and post-harvest) was higher in organic paddy fields (1,479; 1,644; 1,561; 1,019) than inorganic paddy fields (1.391; 0.595; 1.286; 1.002). Based on the relative abundance index, soil macroarthropods family dominated organic paddy fields in every phase of rice growth (vegetative, reproductive, ripening, and post-harvest) was lower (Gryllidae: 39.4%; Carabidae: 46.7%; Formicidae: 44.1 %; Formicidae: 48.8%) than in the inorganic paddy fields (Carabidae: 35.5%; Carabidae: 57.4%; Formicidae: 56.3%; Formicidae: 77.6%). Key words :  biodiversity, soil macroarthropods, organic farming.



2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 405-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Milani

Spoilage fungi are ubiquitous contaminants of cereals, pre- and post-harvest. These fungi can produce a wide range of secondary metabolites under ecological conditions which are conducive for growth. However, some of these secondary metabolites are toxic and have a significant impact if they enter the production and animal food chains. Prevention of mycotoxin contamination of feed and food raw materials is now considered more important than subsequent cure. The key ecological determinants pre- and post-harvest are water availability and temperature (climate). Accurate information is therefore needed on the impact of an association between these key factors, and it is necessary to understand which are marginal and which critical for germination and toxin production. There have only been a few studies where attempts have been made to integrate the available information on these factors in relation to different raw materials for feed and food processing, especially cereals. This review will examine the available information on the main climatic factors, i.e., water availability and temperature affecting mycotoxin production such as, aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and citrinin. This information is crucial for accurately focusing and monitoring key critical control points in the feed and food chain to optimise prevention strategies. &nbsp;



2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 487-497
Author(s):  
А.І. Тsyliuryk ◽  
S.M. Shevchenko ◽  
Ya.V. Ostapchuk ◽  
A.M. Shevchenko ◽  
E.A. Derevenets-Shevchenko

<p>Due to the violation of the technology of sunflower growing in Ukraine and the disbalance of scientifically grounded crop rotation, or their complete absence, with the expansion of sunflower seeds in the structure of crops to 40% and more, and the simplification of the system of basic cultivation of arable land, accompanied by a sharp increase in perturbation of crops by autotrophic and parasitic weeds. To determine the impact of agrotechnical measures, saturation of sunflower seeds, soil tillage systems, and fertilization on the number and species composition of various agrobiological groups of weeds in sunflower crops, including <em>Orobahche cumana</em> Walls. To reduce the herbicide (chemical) loading in agrophytocoenoses of oilseed crops, and ecologization of protection from weeds it was supposed to reveal optimal and environmentally friendly parameters of modern elements of sunflower cultivation technology. The scheme of the experiment included two grains–steam–breeding and grain–seed crop rotations with saturation in the structure of sunflower seeding 12.5%, 20% and 33.3%; three cardinally different systems of basic cultivation of the ground (filed plowing, differentiated and systems of mulching and no-till); two fertilizer systems (no fertilizers + post–harvest residues, N30–60P30–45K30–45 + post–harvest residues). All other elements of agrotechnics were standard and generally accepted for the steppe zone. The accounting of obstinacy was carried out by quantitative–weight and species–specific methods. A tendency has been observed to increase the number of weeds before the first inter–row treatment for mulching and no-till and direct sowing (10.4–15.1 pcs/m<sup>2</sup>) in 1.3–1.5 times compared with the filed plowing (7, 1–12.4 pc. /m<sup>2</sup>). At the time of harvesting in comparison with the spring definition, the infestation of oilseed crop under fertilized background decreased by 1.6–4.2 times; and their quantitative values were 2.6–5.2 pcs/m2 (field plowing), 4.1–8.1 (differentiated tillage), 5.5–12.4 pcs/m<sup>2 </sup>(no-till), indicating the preservation of regularities inherent in the spring period. It was established that the air–dry weight of weeds (within the limits of individual terms of the definition) varied in versions directly proportional to the change in quantitative values, and on average slightly higher for mulching and no-till (3.8–15.7 g/m<sup>2</sup>) than filed plowing (1.8–12.3 g/m<sup>2</sup>). It was proved that the degree of manifestation of the active biological phase of the vaginal parasitism naturally increased with the reduction of the time interval of sunflower return in crop rotation, especially in 3–way crop rotation (33.3% sunflower) – 6.9–12.7%, that is, each sunflower field in the crop rotation – an additional resource for the accumulation of Broomrape in the soil. The increase in the degree of sunflower damage with sunflower wool (up to 11.0–12.7 pcs/100 plants) was observed on the background of deep plowing and decreased with a decrease in the depth of main cultivation in shallow and direct sowing by 6.9–7.8%, or 1.6 times as a result of the localization of the Broomrape in the ground beside the sunflower roots, which provokes its germination with its root secretions, while the seeds of Broomrape for mulching and no-till are located on the top of the soil, soil surface or plant residues, that make impossible its germination in a more dense soil in the absence of the root system of host plant (sunflower). Maximum seed yield (2.35–2.82 t/ha) was obtained in 8–crop rotation at the concentration of sunflower in the seed structure of 12.5%. Extension of the sown area to 25% and 33.3% contributed to a decrease in yields of 2.14–2.67 and 2.10–2.56 t/ha, or 8.9–5.3% and 10.0– 9.2% due to the increase in the degree and intensity of damage to plants by Broomrape. Thus, the expansion in the structure of sunflower crops to 33.3% and the minimization of the main cultivation of the soil leads to an increase in perishability by autotrophic weeds in 1.3–1.5 times, and the degree and intensity of damage by Broomrape, on the contrary, decreases on the finely treated agrofons regarding the localization of seeds in the upper layer of soil or on plant residues, which makes it impossible to germinate.</p>



2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 114-121
Author(s):  
Volodymyr Dudchenko ◽  
Olena Markovska ◽  
Olena Sydiakina


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
M Husen MR ◽  
Maulin Maulina

Consumptive behavior does not only affect modern urban society. The reality is that farmers who generally live in rural areas are also influenced by the consumptive culture. Post-harvest agricultural products are used as a momentum for shopping. The commodities purchased are not limited to necessities but also other needs that are the fulfillment of desires. This study focuses on farmers who do not own land in farming rice and have post-harvest consumptive behavior. Besides, this study also looks at the impact of consumer behavior on their lives. This research uses qualitative methods with a descriptive approach. The results showed that the motives of the families in Gampong Matang Maneh for post-harvest consumptive behavior were the availability of costs and the desire to behave consumptively. The impact of consumptive behavior on post-harvest farmers in Gampong Matang Maneh includes being unable to pay rent for land and difficulty meeting basic needs. Meanwhile, the efforts in meeting their daily needs are (a) involving family members to working, (b) and owes for basic needs.AbstrakPerilaku konsumtif tidak hanya menjangkiti masyarakat modern perkotaan. Realitasnya para petani yang umumnya hidup di wilayah pedesaan juga terpengaruh budaya konsumtif. Pasca panen hasil pertanian dijadikan momentum untuk berbelanja. Komoditas yang dibeli tidak terbatas pada kebutuhan pokok melainkan juga kebutuhan lain yang bersifat pemenuhan hasrat dan keinginan. Penelitian ini memfokuskan pada petani yang tidak memiliki lahan sendiri dalam bertani padi dan berperilaku konsumtif pasca panen. Selain itu, studi ini juga melihat dampak yang ditimbulkan dari perilaku konsumtif terhadap kehidupan keluarga petani. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa motif keluarga petani di Gampong Matang Maneh berperilaku konsumtif pasca panen adalah tersedianya biaya dan keinginan berperilaku konsumtif. Adapun dampak perilaku konsumtif terhadap petani pasca panen di Gampong Matang Maneh diantaranya tidak sanggup membayar sewa tanah dan kesulitan memenuhi kebutuhan pokok. Sementara upaya yang dilakukan dalam memenuhi kebutuhan sehari-hari adalah (a) melibatkan anggota keluarga dalam bekerja, (b) dan mengutang kebutuhan pokok.



Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepti Tyagi ◽  
Autumn L. Kraft ◽  
Sara Levadney Smith ◽  
Sherry E. Roof ◽  
Julie S. Sherwood ◽  
...  

In the field, foodborne pathogens such as enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are capable of surviving on produce over time, yet little is known about how these pathogens adapt to this environment. To assess the impact of pre-harvest environmental conditions on EHEC survival, we quantified survival on romaine lettuce under two relative humidity (75% and 45%) and seasonal conditions (March and June). Greenhouse-grown lettuce was spray-inoculated with EHEC and placed in a growth chamber, mimicking conditions typical for June and March in Salinas Valley, California. Bacteria were enumerated on days 0, 1, 3, and 5 post-inoculation. Overall, we found that the effect of relative humidity on EHEC survival depended on the seasonal conditions. Under June seasonal conditions, higher relative humidity led to lower survival, and lower relative humidity led to greater survival, five days post-inoculation. Under March seasonal conditions, the impact of relative humidity on EHEC survival was minimal over the five days. The bacteria were also tested for their ability to survive a chlorine decontamination wash. Inoculated lettuce was incubated under the June 75% relative humidity conditions and then washed with a 50 ppm sodium hypochlorite solution (40 ppm free chlorine). When incubated under June seasonal conditions for three to five days, EHEC strains showed increased tolerance to chlorine (adj. p < 0.05) compared to chlorine tolerance upon inoculation onto lettuce. This indicated that longer incubation on lettuce led to greater EHEC survival upon exposure to chlorine. Subsequent transcriptome analysis identified the upregulation of osmotic and oxidative stress response genes by EHEC after three and five days of incubation on pre-harvest lettuce. Assessing the physiological changes in EHEC that occur during association with pre-harvest lettuce is important for understanding how changing tolerance to post-harvest control measures may occur.



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