Proper Maize storage practices
By Ann Macharia
The price of maize has gone up ranging about Ksh 3000-4500, most likely prices will still go up within the year. The majority of the farmers have opted to store their grains so that they can sell at more lucrative prices. However, farmers need to store their grains in a proper way to avoid incurring losses due to poor storage techniques. Firstly, have a dry and cool store provides the best protection of the grains against pest and diseases. Cleaning the store and keeping the surrounding environment free from weed, vegetation or rubbish should be vital to practice good hygiene in the store.
Pests also invade the store and may lead to huge losses if not detected and controlled. Some pests often referred to as primary pests, feed on the hard seed coat of the grain, others lay their eggs in the kernel which upon reaching the larvae it continues to eat the grain. Grain borers, weevils, moulds, fungus and grain moth also pose a threat, they should be controlled
Rats and rodents are also storage pest, they can be controlled by enacting rat guards, incorporating traps and baits.
Minimizing instances of temperatures fluctuations is also very important, this is because it minimizes water condensation which can promote fungal growth. The walls, floors, and roofs should be vermin proof and watertight, all cracks and small holes should be sealed to avoid creating breeding grounds for storage insects.
Periodic inspection should be done, this helps to control storage pests build-up and also fungal infestation. For instance, Farmers should lift the bags to check cocoons of moths along the part where sacks touch one another, look for flying moths and check for droppings of rodents. Traditionally use of chili pepper when burnt underneath the grain store has been practiced to minimize instances of storage pests. To curb moths and weevils the maize grain should be treated with actellic powder which is dusted on the grains. Fungal infections are easily detected, the presence of mouldy smell can depict instances of aflatoxins build up. Use of hermetic storage is the most effective method of storing grains, however, this method requires high initial capital.
Before the grains are stored farmers should ensure the grains are dry, this hinders the chances of aflatoxins build up. Usually, the level of aflatoxins increases on the grain upon storage, it's very important to note that any grain which starts to turn black on the endosperm should not be eaten by animals, however, it can be treated by ammonia to make it safe for live stocks despite being the grain is left with a strong odor. Farmers must make sure they store the grains once it has obtained the correct moisture content, they must also make sure the stores they store the grains is not humid, as humidity will increase the rate of disease attacks and promote rotting of the grains, all the grains which are broken together with all the foreign materials should be removed, and the store should be vermin proof.
To keep the grains for a longer duration, farmers must put in place good mitigation measures to avoid any postharvest losses. With proper store management plans, farmers are likely to reap big within the year.
By Ann Macharia
The price of maize has gone up ranging about Ksh 3000-4500, most likely prices will still go up within the year. The majority of the farmers have opted to store their grains so that they can sell at more lucrative prices. However, farmers need to store their grains in a proper way to avoid incurring losses due to poor storage techniques. Firstly, have a dry and cool store provides the best protection of the grains against pest and diseases. Cleaning the store and keeping the surrounding environment free from weed, vegetation or rubbish should be vital to practice good hygiene in the store.
Pests also invade the store and may lead to huge losses if not detected and controlled. Some pests often referred to as primary pests, feed on the hard seed coat of the grain, others lay their eggs in the kernel which upon reaching the larvae it continues to eat the grain. Grain borers, weevils, moulds, fungus and grain moth also pose a threat, they should be controlled
Rats and rodents are also storage pest, they can be controlled by enacting rat guards, incorporating traps and baits.
Minimizing instances of temperatures fluctuations is also very important, this is because it minimizes water condensation which can promote fungal growth. The walls, floors, and roofs should be vermin proof and watertight, all cracks and small holes should be sealed to avoid creating breeding grounds for storage insects.
Periodic inspection should be done, this helps to control storage pests build-up and also fungal infestation. For instance, Farmers should lift the bags to check cocoons of moths along the part where sacks touch one another, look for flying moths and check for droppings of rodents. Traditionally use of chili pepper when burnt underneath the grain store has been practiced to minimize instances of storage pests. To curb moths and weevils the maize grain should be treated with actellic powder which is dusted on the grains. Fungal infections are easily detected, the presence of mouldy smell can depict instances of aflatoxins build up. Use of hermetic storage is the most effective method of storing grains, however, this method requires high initial capital.
Before the grains are stored farmers should ensure the grains are dry, this hinders the chances of aflatoxins build up. Usually, the level of aflatoxins increases on the grain upon storage, it's very important to note that any grain which starts to turn black on the endosperm should not be eaten by animals, however, it can be treated by ammonia to make it safe for live stocks despite being the grain is left with a strong odor. Farmers must make sure they store the grains once it has obtained the correct moisture content, they must also make sure the stores they store the grains is not humid, as humidity will increase the rate of disease attacks and promote rotting of the grains, all the grains which are broken together with all the foreign materials should be removed, and the store should be vermin proof.
To keep the grains for a longer duration, farmers must put in place good mitigation measures to avoid any postharvest losses. With proper store management plans, farmers are likely to reap big within the year.