Postharvest losses of agricultural commodities in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

Abstract

In Sri Lanka, postharvest losses vary with the geographical area; higher losses are reported in warmer areas. A survey was conducted in Trincomalee district, one of the hottest areas in Sri Lanka, to ascertain the status of crop cultivation and postharvest losses of cultivated crops. Farming is the main livelihood of the people in the area. The main crops cultivated are paddy, red onion, chili, brinjal, tobacco and manioc; the average land extent possessed by a farmer family and the yield varies with the crop. Paddy, onion, and tobacco are stored for 6, 3, and 12 months, respectively. Paddy is stored indoor in bags, onion as racks (indoor), and tobacco as piles (indoor and outdoor) under shade conditions. During harvest, drying and storage losses occur in paddy and onion. Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitotroga cerealella, and rats are the major problems during paddy storage. Pesticides are not used regularly by the farmers. Instead they practice traditional pest management methods.