Reducing On-Farm Food Losses

In the OIC Member Countries

higher losses due to molds, insects and rodents are to be expected. If the air is not dry enough

the crop will never reach the desired moisture level or it will take a longer time than the

recommendedmaximumof 12 hours. This will give an opportunity for mold to attack and higher

levels of mycotoxins will be expected in the dried product. (Kader et al., 2012.)

Recommendations for reducing on-farm losses for pulses and oilseeds include:



Use of good quality seeds and inputs.



Harvesting at proper moisture, which for groundnuts is below 15%.



Drying to low moisture (8 %) reduces significant losses of product due to deterioration

in quality.



Drying facilities are considered particularly important in light of climate changes such

unanticipated rain just before harvest, which result in inadequately dried crops leading

to mycotoxin formation and poor quality.



Encouraging the development of an on-farm, low-cost drying process that is able to

bring down the moisture content of crops to 8% as fast as possible to reduce loss.



In-shell buying and marketing which reduces moisture influx and fungal development,

but increases the bulkiness of the commodity.



Use of hermetic storage Perdue University bags (PICS bags) which reduce aflatoxin

contamination in groundnut.



Use of hand or manual shellers for reducing damage to kernels during shelling.

3.5. Case Study 5: Tomato in Egypt

Tomato is an important vegetable crop in many of the OIC Member Countries. Major OIC

producers include Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia.

Tomatoes are very similar to capsicum, aubergine, cucumbers and hot peppers regarding

management of on-farm and postharvest losses.

3.5.1. Status and Importance

Egypt has the longest production season for tomatoes in the world, with a potential of 11 months

per year depending on the climate and location (Tinawi 20101):



North or Lower Egypt (Nubaria): June, July, and August.



Middle Egypt (Beni Sweif, Minya): October, November, December



Upper Egypt (Souhag, Kena, Esna): December, January, February, March, April, May

In 2013 more than 8.5 million tonnes of tomatoes were produced. From 2005-2010, 99% of the

tomato production was for fresh consumption and 1% was a dual purpose and processed

variety. Field tomatoes produce 3 kg per m

water and plastic house tomatoes produce 17 kg

per m

water. Water is free on the Delta so farmers only need to buy a pump.