Where output disappears.
WHY IT MATTERS
Substantial proportions of production are lost after harvest, and preventing that is cheaper than growing more.
WHERE LOSSES OCCUR
- Harvesting: timing, method and damage
- Handling: bruising and contamination
- Drying: inadequate or delayed
- Storage: pests, moisture, heat
- Transport: damage and delay
- Market: unsold produce spoiling
WHAT TIMING AFFECTS
Quality, storability and price.
WHAT HARVESTING TOO EARLY OR LATE PRODUCES
Lower yield, poorer quality, and reduced storage life.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
The correct indicators for your crop.
WHAT HANDLING REQUIRES
Care, appropriate containers, and shade.
WHY CONTAINERS MATTER
Overfilled sacks and rough containers cause damage that appears days later.
WHAT DRYING REQUIRES
Reaching and maintaining a safe moisture level.
WHY IT MATTERS SO MUCH
Inadequate drying produces mould and toxins, which make produce unsaleable and unsafe.
WHAT TO MEASURE
Moisture, where the crop requires it.
WHAT STORAGE REQUIRES
Dry conditions Protection from pests Ventilation Raised off the ground Regular inspection
WHAT PESTS DO
Consume and contaminate, progressively.
WHAT TO INSPECT FOR
Signs of infestation, early.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Whether storing is better than selling immediately.
WHAT THAT DEPENDS ON
Price movement against storage cost and loss.
WHAT TO RECORD
Losses, by stage.
WHY
It shows where to intervene.
