A survey of post-harvest handling practices and pest control measures in stored maize in western Ethiopia

Abstract

This survey was conducted in western Ethiopia with 125 respondents using face-to-face interviews. Surveys evaluated farmers' post-harvest practices, losses from post-harvest handling, insecticide usage frequency, and management techniques for preventing storage pest infestations of maize. All of the farmers planted hybrid maize varieties. Post-harvest handling practices caused 24% of crop losses. Harvesting (2%), threshing (3%), transportation (2%), and storage (17%) were identified as major points of loss. Farmers employed several strategies to reduce pest damage in storage. Of these strategies, 81.6% of farmers used synthetic insecticides, with 31.62% using insecticides more than twice. In total, 5.6% of respondents used plants such as Croton macrostachyus and Lantana camara for controlling insects during storage, which were frequently mentioned. Sun drying, roofing, and regular cleaning were all adopted by 4% of farmers as cultural insect pest management strategies. About 6.4% of farmers used a combination of the above management tactics. Insect-resistant hybrid varieties are critical to developing and implementing sustainable pest management strategies. Local governments can develop more effective pest management strategies. The primary emphasis should be on IPM. This method is more efficient and long-lasting than single-method control strategies. This will help keep pest populations in check and minimize pesticide use.