Post-Harvest Loss of Wheat and Its Impact on Food Security: A Study of Raikwar VDC, Kanchanpur, Nepal

Abstract

A considerable amount of cereals produced in developing countries is lost due to improper post-harvest operations leading to a considerable gap between the gross production and availability. Minimizing these losses can increase their supply without bringing additional land under cultivation. In this research, we assessed the post harvest management practices of wheat and its post-harvest losses in Raikwar VDC of Kanchanpur district, Nepal. Prevalence of stored seed borne fungi in different containers and status of wheat availability for a yearly consumption among farmers of different ethnic groups were assessed. Assessment of wheat grain loss during harvesting, threshing, and winnowing were carried out according to the Global Strategy working paper 2015. Out of 258 households growing wheat, about one third (83 households) were interviewed for post-harvest management practices and status of food security. Among them 35 households were selected for seed sample collections based on the types of containers and treatments applied to minimize the loss during storage. These seed samples were used to assess fungal prevalence. Post-harvest loss was found about 12% that includes storage loss (8.%), harvesting(3 %) and winnowing loss (1%). About 57% farmers used metal drums for storage of grains; the other means of storage were traditional Kothia, Dheri, Bhakari, and Plastic sac. The loss was higher in the traditional containers than in metal drums. Eight types of fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus spp., Penecillium spp., Bipolaris sorokiniana, Alternaria alternata, Chaetomium spp., Aspergillus niger and Fusarium spp.) were prevalent in different types containers. Eighty two percent of the farmers had sufficient availability of wheat grain for yearly consumption. The Janajati households had sufficient availability of wheat grain followed by Brahmin-Chhetri and Dalits. It was estimated that 12% of the grain was lost during post-harvest operation which can support the food for ca.2.8 person/year. Overall, technology intervention and improved storage structure can play a positive role in reducing post harvest loss and reduction in prevalence of the storage fungi which will maintain grain quality for long-time storage and improve food security of the farmers.