Reducing On-Farm Food Losses

In the OIC Member Countries

2.1.3. Oilseeds and Pulses: Groundnuts, Dry Beans, Cowpeas

Pod losses during harvesting are substantial at 20-30%, although they are higher in the Virginia

than the Spanish types. The harvesting losses are dependent on a number of factors including

the method of harvest and soil moisture content. Excessive soil moisture at the time of harvest

also damages crop quality, but on the other hand, soil moisture-deficit may increase the pod

losses (Nautiyal 2002). Pod shattering, which refers to the spillage of seeds from drying pods

that split, can be a problem, but losses are not usually serious unless harvest is delayed (Gomez

2004). Bruchid weevils are insects infest pulse crops while in storage and in the fields by laying

eggs in cracks or cuts in the pod (Nautiyal 2002).

In Uganda, groundnuts should be harvested when approximately 75% of the pods have reached

maturity. Harvesting at the right time gives the farmer the maximum yield and grade. If

harvesting is too early, grading factors and market value will be lower. If harvesting is too late,

over-mature pods can lose peg strength resulting in yield loss (Okello et al 2013). Losses for

groundnuts were reported by AGRA (2013) as 9-18.5%.

Losses for groundnuts in Mali were reported by AGRA (2013) to be 20-30% during the

harvesting stage. Typical on-farm losses for groundnuts include pest attacks. Among the major

arthropods in soil and plant samples taken from groundnut farms in Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger

and Nigeria, termites of the genus Microtermes (Isoptera: Termitidae) were the most abundant

and widely distributed species of economic importance. Most of the whitegrub (Coleoptera:

Scarabaeidae) and millipede (Myriapoda: Odontopygidae) species identified belonged to the

genera of Schyzonycha and Peridontopyge, respectively. Percentages of plants attacked by

termites, white grubs andmillipedes were 39, 11 and 9%, respectively. Yield loss due to termites

was estimated at 10-30% (Umeh et al., 1999). The yield loss in groundnuts due to competition

by weeds may range between 30-34%. The yield losses are higher when the crop is rain-fed and

Spanish compared to an irrigated crop and Virginia runner (Nautiyal 2002).

In Uganda, losses for dry beans were reported by AGRA (2013) as 5-15%. FAO (2013) estimates

that bean yields in Uganda are 30% below potential yields due to cultivation practices and

nutrient deficiencies (Sebuwufu, 2013). This is especially important for Egypt, Sudan and Yemen

as faba beans (dry broad beans), chickpeas and lentils are among the most important food crops

in those countries, representing a major part of the daily diet and a source of protein. Within

Egypt, faba beans (broad bean or fava bean) are the most important pulse representing 80% of

the pulses produced (Hassanein et al, 2000).

Affognon et al (2014) reviewed more than 130 documents on postharvest losses in Africa, and

reported their summary findings for cowpeas (23.5%+/- 22 average losses in 9 documents) and

dry beans (14% +/- 1 average losses in 2 documents). Comparisons of reported losses in cases

where interventions were made to reduce losses (via improved handling and storage, including

metal silos and PICS bags) showed results of approximately 50% decreases.