Harvest Time
760M corn postharvest losses in 3 major provinces
By Sosimo Ma. Pablico
Corn farmers and traders in three of the country’s major corn producing provinces lose at least 760 million a year due to postproduction losses, according to results of a study conducted by the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE), which is led by Executive Director Ricardo Cachuela.
Amelita R. Salvador and Hernaiz G. Malanon assessed the postharvest losses in corn in Isabela, Bukidnon and South Cotabato in 2005 to 2006. Observations were made on two crops in Isabela and Bukidnon for two seasons, while only one crop in one season was observed in South Cotabato. They observed losses in the farm (harvesting, hauling, shelling and drying) as well as off-farm (procurement and storage).
Results show that the highest postproduction losses amounting to 318,301,064 occurred in Bukidnon. This was broken down into 180,471,439 in the first season (July-September) and 137,301,064 in the second season (December-February).
Losses in Isabela were estimated at 281,031,645. Of this amount, 111,267,946 was lost in the first season (March-May harvest), while 169,763,699 was lost in the second season (September-October harvest). In South Cotabato, losses incurred in the October to December harvest period were estimated at 160,660,283.
The data indicate that more losses occurred in the first season in Bukidnon. On the other hand, more losses occurred in the second season in Isabela.
The data also show more losses at the farm level than off-farm. In Bukidnon, for instance, losses at the farm level amounted to 297,415,858, while that at the off-farm level totaled only to 20,885,205, a great difference of 276,530,653.
A similar trend was observed in Isabela. Losses at the on-farm level amounted to 259,796,992, while it was 21,234,653 at the off-farm level. The difference was 238,562,339. It was estimated that Bukidnon farmers lose 8,985 per hectare year as a result of postproduction losses, while Isabela lose 8,546 per hectare per year.
The researchers also noted that losses in drying due to spillage comprised almost two-thirds (63.26 percent) of the total postharvest losses.
They also observed the magnitude of postproduction losses in the three provinces has declined by 28 percent after 10 years. They said that if postharvest losses can be further reduced and accompanied by continuous research on the improvement of corn productivity, the country could become self-sufficient in corn.
The study likewise noted that several factors contribute to postproduction losses at the farm level. Among them are poor cultural management practices. For instance, weeds made harvesting difficult such hidden corn ears are likely to be missed. Intercropping corn with coconuts resulted in late maturity and harvesters leave behind immature ears.
In Banga, South Cotabato, harvesting of immature corn results in high shelling losses as immature ears have high moisture content and soft cobs are easily crushed during shelling, resulting in high incidence of unshelled grains. Immature corn kernels are also more prone to breakage.
Unfavorable weather conditions normally cause lodging of corn stalks, making harvesting more tedious to harvesters. Because payment of harvesters is based mostly on the volume harvested, covered corn ears on the ground are often not harvested.
Losses are also caused by old and antiquated shelling machines. Considerable amount of unshelled kernels are still attached to the cobs after passing through the sheller. This is aggravated by the lack of dryers. In Isabela drying is done on the highway, resulting in heavy spillage as vehicles blow away the grains as they pass by.
Other causes of yield loss include harvesting practices, inept laborers, insufficient training of sheller operators, poor design and maintenance of drying pavement, and varietal characteristics of corn.
(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/harvest-time/)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
