Airtight underground grain stores among Dodoma farmers

Session:  Grains, mainly maize, and pulses are staple foods for most African subsistence farmers. Post-harvest losses for these crops are estimated up to 40% in Africa. Efforts to reduce these losses include identification of post-harvest problems, how to manage the crops from field to storage. The main problems of poor handling of crops, insect pests, moisture, and vermin, are discussed and how to manage them using IPM measures. The session will describe the construction of underground household grain stores, as well as other good cultural practices, and use of indigenous botanicals.

Biographical information:  Mussa Chilemu holds a BSc. Agriculture General from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and is a Conservation Agriculture Field Officer. He is experienced with food security programming, conservation agriculture, airtight grain storage, community mobilization, adult teaching and participatory approaches.