On farm storage, storage losses and the effects of loss reduction in China

Abstract

In China, many farmers store grains in their households, but compared with developed countries, their storage skills and facilities are limited. This results in a larger household storage losses in China than developed countries. Limited by resources, reducing postharvest losses has become an important measure to increase the food supply in China. This study used survey data from 1608 households in 28 provinces of China to measure the household storage by farmers and storage losses in 2015, then we simulated the effects of loss reduction. The results show that, first, amongst the four main crops, corn has the largest storage quantity and the highest storage loss rate in the households of Chinese farmers. The corn storage quantities reach 3220.15 kgs (kg), and the storage loss rate is 2.41%. Therefore, corn storage losses (in calories) are also the highest, at 271,317.1 kcal. Second, the household storage quantities and storage loss rates are different in various regions. The northeast experiences the highest storage loss (in calories), at 505,212.5 kcal, and the comprehensive loss rate is highest in the southwest, at 2.57%. Third, farmers generally use warehouses and bags to store grains in China. For japonica rice, wheat, and corn, storage in bags is associated with the lowest loss rate. Grains stored in cabinets are subject to more serious losses. Fourth, the loss reduction simulation under different standards shows that reducing farm storage losses has great effects that would aid in ensuring China's food security and saving resources. If the household storage loss rate falls to the advanced rate (1.00%), this can save 379,000 hectares of land, 140,600 tons of fertilizer, and 2.66 billion m3 of water, reduce carbon emissions by 510,600 tons, and meet the food consumption needs of 5.87 million people for one year.