Maize is a staple food in Nepal in mid-hill regions covering 70% of total maize area. It is grown in about 0.8 million ha with total production of about 1.33 million tons. The crop is also emerging as an industrial crop in accessible areas. Maize loss during drying and storage has been reported as high as 51% of total post harvest loss. Studies conducted in Nepal and a few other studies from other countries, related to maize loss, dryers/drying methods and maize storage bins/methods are listed. Traditional maize drying/storage methods at the farmer level are sun drying, outdoor raised open bamboo structure (Thankro/Suli); indoor natural aerated bamboo structure (Meera); hanging on ropes and placing above the kitchen. Storage method/structures are piling (Kuniu); sundried mud structures (Dehari); baked mud structures (Ghyampo, Ghyampi etc.); baked brick or stone structures (Dhikuti) and timber structures. Traditional storage structures are neither airtight nor rodent proof. They need to be modified or replaced by simple improved methods. Metal bins are being distributed/sold at 25% subsidy to the farmers.|Available technologies, research priorities and present constraints for research work on maize drying and storage are listed. Also, methods to improve outreach research activity have been pointed out. Coordinated research programs aimed at women friendly technologies and outcomes aimed at farmer groups have been stressed. Finally, farmer to farmer exchange of information/experience, an effective mechanism for technology transfer, are stressed to be arranged by the concerned authorities to improve outreach research activity.

English

0209|AGRIS 0201|AL-Maize Program|R01CIMPU

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection