10 Questions
What is the main focus of the post-harvest system?
Minimizing loss and maximizing efficiency
Why is extended pre-harvest field drying a double-edged sword?
It increases the risk of loss due to weather conditions
What do technical activities in the post-harvest system include?
Harvesting and cleaning
What does the term 'Chain' or 'Pipeline' highlight in the post-harvest system?
The sequence of various operations
Why is harvesting before maturity considered risky?
It increases the risk of loss through molds and decay
What post-harvest issue can arise if grain is not dry enough?
Vulnerability to mold and rot during storage
Why is excessive hulling or threshing problematic for grains like rice?
It reduces the quality and food value of the grain
What is a crucial factor in the long-term storage of grains in closed structures like granaries?
Control of cleanliness, temperature, and humidity
What problem can occur if grain is threshed when too damp and stored improperly?
Increased susceptibility to attack from micro-organisms
Why is marketing considered a crucial element in the post-harvest system?
It is the final and decisive element in the post-harvest system
Study Notes
Post-Harvest System
- The post-harvest system involves delivering a crop from harvest to consumption with minimal loss, maximum efficiency, and maximum return.
Technical Activities
- The post-harvest system encompasses a sequence of technical activities, including:
- Harvesting
- Field drying
- Threshing
- Cleaning
- Additional drying
- Storage
- Processing
Economic Activities
- The post-harvest system also involves economic activities, including:
- Transporting
- Marketing
- Quality control
- Nutrition
- Extension
- Information and communication
- Administration
- Management
Harvesting
- The time of harvesting is determined by the degree of maturity.
- Pre-harvest drying can reduce loss due to molds and decay, but increases the risk of attack by birds, rodents, and insects.
Post-Harvest Drying
- Post-harvest drying is critical to prevent mold and decay.
- Inadequate drying makes grain vulnerable to mold and rot during storage.
Threshing
- Threshing grain when it's too damp can make it susceptible to micro-organisms, limiting its preservation.
Storage
- Storage facilities, hygiene, and monitoring must be adequate for effective, long-term storage.
- Control of cleanliness, temperature, and humidity is crucial in closed structures (granaries, warehouses, hermetic bins).
- Damage caused by pests and molds can lead to deterioration of facilities and result in losses in quality and food value.
Processing
- Excessive hulling or threshing can result in grain losses, particularly in rice (hulling), which can suffer cracks and lesions.
- Poor processing makes grain vulnerable to insects, such as the rice moth.
Marketing
- Marketing is a critical element in the post-harvest system, occurring at various points in the agro-food chain.
- Marketing is closely linked to transport, an essential link in the system.
- Losses in the post-harvest system can affect food quality and quantity.
Explore the concept of post-harvest systems in agriculture, focusing on the delivery of crops from harvest to consumption with minimum loss and maximum efficiency. Learn about the interconnected functions and operations within this sphere of activity.
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