Problem s Associated with On-farm Storage Conditions of Paddy in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Rice being the staple food, paddy is the major agricultural crop cultivated in Sri Lanka. Storage is essential as the harvest is seasonal. But the post harvest loss of paddy during storage is as high as 4 - 6 %. This study was conducted to assess the present status of the on farm storage of paddy in the north central province. Data were collected through a field survey using a questionnaire, key informant interviews and secondary data sources. The study revealed that of the average total harvest of 4,917 kg of paddy per season 51% was stored. The majority of the participants stored their harvest in a separate room inside the house itself and used any available free space or separate warehouse build outside their houses. The average capacity of these storage spaces were 7,203 kg of paddy while the average amount stored was 3,199 kg. The average percentage of respondents who used the total capacity was 52% . The participants stored paddy for consumption and for sale at a later stage. The main problems of storage was insect pest attacks and other problems were less ventilation, keeping of unsuitable things in the storage facility with paddy, darkness inside and not stacking problems. The average post harvest loss during storage was 5%. Therefore, it can be concluded that although farmers store nearly half of their harvest at on farm level both qualitative and quantitative losses takes place due to improper practices and conditions of storage.