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Counting losses to cut losses: quantifying legume postharvest losses to help achieve food and nutrition security: Presentation
Get PDFProjections suggest that by 2050 global food production will need to have increased by 70% to meet food demands associated with the world’s population growth. Such forecasts, alongside growing awareness of the socio-ecological costs of food loss, and political ramifications of food crises have seen postharvest loss (PHL) reduction reappearing as a development priority. Particularly so in sub-Saharan Africa, a region deemed highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, where 307 million people are already affected by severe food insecurity, and the population is projected to double by 2050. Targets for reduced PHL are emphasised in the African Union’s Malabo Declaration and Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. However, crop postharvest systems are complex and losses occur in various ways at different activity stages and due to a host of diverse reasons. To better target and prioritise loss reduction investments and policies we need to understand how much food is being lost postharvest, where, and why. The African Postharvest Losses Information Systems (APHLIS), brought a rigorous knowledge management approach to cereal PHLs. We are now expanding this to include key legume and other crops and estimates of the nutritional and financial values of these losses. The scientific literature was screened to build profiles of the PHLs occurring along the value chains, and combined with contextual information, to provide science-based estimates of PHLs where direct measurements are not available. We discuss these legume PHL profiles and the related opportunities and knowledge gaps.Projections suggest that by 2050 global food production will need to have increased by 70% to meet food demands associated with the world’s population growth. Such forecasts, alongside growing awareness of the socio-ecological costs of food loss, and political ramifications of food crises have seen postharvest loss (PHL) reduction reappearing as a development priority. Particularly so in sub-Saharan Africa, a region deemed highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, where 307 million people are already affected by severe food insecurity, and the population is projected to double by 2050. Targets for reduced PHL are emphasised in the African Union’s Malabo Declaration and Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. However, crop postharvest systems are complex and losses occur in various ways at different activity stages and due to a host of diverse reasons. To better target and prioritise loss reduction investments and policies we need to understand how much food is being lost postharvest, where, and why. The African Postharvest Losses Information Systems (APHLIS), brought a rigorous knowledge management approach to cereal PHLs. We are now expanding this to include key legume and other crops and estimates of the nutritional and financial values of these losses. The scientific literature was screened to build profiles of the PHLs occurring along the value chains, and combined with contextual information, to provide science-based estimates of PHLs where direct measurements are not available. We discuss these legume PHL profiles and the related opportunities and knowledge gaps
On farm grain storage – potential opportunity or risk- meeting the demands of food safety and quality, an Australian perspective: Presentation
Get PDFTraceability, product identity, food safety and quality assurance are increasingly required by end users and customers. The Australian on farm storage system has a unique opportunity to deliver grain to meet these requirements, provided the system is set up and managed to ensure the end product meets the market requirement. Australian grain growers are becoming more aware of the changing nature of markets and their requirements, and the importance of managing storage to meet food safety requirements. With the increasing change in storage dynamics in Australia from a central receival system to a range of storage entities, of which on farm storage is becoming a major player, there is a growing need for the grains industry to ensure all who can affect grain quality and food safety are aware of and can meet their obligations. There are many challenges for Australian growers to manage; including managing existing facilities, investing in new facilities, managing insects, managing grain quality and ensuring treatments are used in accordance with best practice. Despite these challenges, there are many opportunities and potential for the on-farm storage system to meet the demands required of them to deliver a quality and food safe product to the end-user. This paper discusses the on-farm grain storage system, management of and the opportunity and risks for growers and end users to work together to ensure a quality and food safe product is delivered to the end-user. Traceability, product identity, food safety and quality assurance are increasingly required by end users and customers. The on farm storage system has a unique opportunity to deliver grain to meet these requirements, provided the system is set up and managed to do this in collaboration with the end user and market. Whilst grain growers are aware of the changing nature of markets and their requirements, it is fair to say food safety and how they might affect this is relatively new in their thinking. With the increasing change in storage dynamics from a central receival system to a range of storage entities, of which on farm storage is becoming a major player, there is a growing need for the grains industry to ensure all who can affect grain quality and food safety are aware of and can meet their obligations. There are many challenges for growers to manage; including managing existing facilities, investing in new facilities, managing insects, managing grain quality and ensuring treatments are used in accordance with best practice. Despite these challenges, there are many opportunities and potential for the on-farm storage system to meet the demands required of them to deliver a quality and food safe product to the enduser and customer. This paper discusses the on-farm grain storage system, management of the system and the opportunity and risks for growers and end users to work together to ensure a quality and food safe product is delivered to the enduser and customer.Traceability, product identity, food safety and quality assurance are increasingly required by end users and customers. The Australian on farm storage system has a unique opportunity to deliver grain to meet these requirements, provided the system is set up and managed to ensure the end product meets the market requirement. Australian grain growers are becoming more aware of the changing nature of markets and their requirements, and the importance of managing storage to meet food safety requirements. With the increasing change in storage dynamics in Australia from a central receival system to a range of storage entities, of which on farm storage is becoming a major player, there is a growing need for the grains industry to ensure all who can affect grain quality and food safety are aware of and can meet their obligations. There are many challenges for Australian growers to manage; including managing existing facilities, investing in new facilities, managing insects, managing grain quality and ensuring treatments are used in accordance with best practice. Despite these challenges, there are many opportunities and potential for the on-farm storage system to meet the demands required of them to deliver a quality and food safe product to the end-user. This paper discusses the on-farm grain storage system, management of and the opportunity and risks for growers and end users to work together to ensure a quality and food safe product is delivered to the end-user. Traceability, product identity, food safety and quality assurance are increasingly required by end users and customers. The on farm storage system has a unique opportunity to deliver grain to meet these requirements, provided the system is set up and managed to do this in collaboration with the end user and market. Whilst grain growers are aware of the changing nature of markets and their requirements, it is fair to say food safety and how they might affect this is relatively new in their thinking. With the increasing change in storage dynamics from a central receival system to a range of storage entities, of which on farm storage is becoming a major player, there is a growing need for the grains industry to ensure all who can affect grain quality and food safety are aware of and can meet their obligations. There are many challenges for growers to manage; including managing existing facilities, investing in new facilities, managing insects, managing grain quality and ensuring treatments are used in accordance with best practice. Despite these challenges, there are many opportunities and potential for the on-farm storage system to meet the demands required of them to deliver a quality and food safe product to the enduser and customer. This paper discusses the on-farm grain storage system, management of the system and the opportunity and risks for growers and end users to work together to ensure a quality and food safe product is delivered to the enduser and customer
Climate change and its implications on stored food grains: Presentation
Get PDFSafe food grain storages are considered as a measure to adapt to the changing global climates and as a channel to food security, particularly in periods when agriculture fails. However, grain storage themselves can be heavily affected by changing global climates. One main aspect of the ‘climate change’ is the rise of global temperature that may lead to an increase in atmospheric humidity. This climate change, warm and humid, are not suitable for grain storage. At such a scenario, stored grain is at a risk due to the favorable conditions developed for the growth of insect pests. Predicting the future ecological impact of climate change drivers requires understanding how these same drivers have acted in the past on the dynamics of insect\u27s population. In the past ten years there has been a detailed documentation on the biotic and abiotic conditions of two storage sites in Israel. This historical ecological data can reveal long-term consequences of multiple drivers of climate change. The changes can be evident at the level of the species and at the level of the societies of insect-pest in the grain storage. The differences between two storages located at different climate regions in Israel further predict the direction current IPM practice may lead to. Following this understanding, we hope to develop feasible mitigation strategies that might overcome the changes ahead of us.Safe food grain storages are considered as a measure to adapt to the changing global climates and as a channel to food security, particularly in periods when agriculture fails. However, grain storage themselves can be heavily affected by changing global climates. One main aspect of the ‘climate change’ is the rise of global temperature that may lead to an increase in atmospheric humidity. This climate change, warm and humid, are not suitable for grain storage. At such a scenario, stored grain is at a risk due to the favorable conditions developed for the growth of insect pests. Predicting the future ecological impact of climate change drivers requires understanding how these same drivers have acted in the past on the dynamics of insect\u27s population. In the past ten years there has been a detailed documentation on the biotic and abiotic conditions of two storage sites in Israel. This historical ecological data can reveal long-term consequences of multiple drivers of climate change. The changes can be evident at the level of the species and at the level of the societies of insect-pest in the grain storage. The differences between two storages located at different climate regions in Israel further predict the direction current IPM practice may lead to. Following this understanding, we hope to develop feasible mitigation strategies that might overcome the changes ahead of us
Suitability of Poaceae seeds for Plodia interpunctella development: Presentation
Get PDFOne of the most important pests of stored grains is Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), whose larvae feed primarily on germinal part of the kernels, causing a reduction of seed germination and seed viability. This is detrimental for seeds of high category. However, seeds of different species within the same taxonomic family have different morphology (thickness of seed-coat, presence or absence of palea, palea loose or firmly attached to the seed etc.), which affects the susceptibility of seeds to P. interpunctella attack. The hypothesis was that seed hardness and the absence of palea could also significantly influence the life history of this pest. We assessed the suitability of different seeds from family Poacae (maize, wheat, barley, oats, ray, forage sorghum (variety), forage sorghum (hybrid), Sudan grass and millet) for P. interpunctella development and seeds susceptibility to pest attack (expressed in Susceptibility index –SI). The following parameters were monitored: larval mortality, adult emergence, mean developmental duration (from egg to adult) and female fecundity. Observations were carried out weekly, for 49 days. Data were statistically analyzed using Duncan’s multiple range Test. The highest larval mortality, the lowest number of emerged moths and the lowest fecundity were recorded on millet, Sudan grass and forage sorghum (variety and hybrid). However, the shortest larval development (27.8 days) and the highest fecundity (109.5-115.6 eggs) were on standard laboratory diet, maize and wheat. Morphometric measures of moths indicate that on unsuitable mediums like millet, Sudan grass, and different sorghum varieties the body lengths were statistically significantly shorter (0.5-0.6 cm) compared to other treatments (0.8-0.9 cm). According to the SI, the most susceptible were maize, wheat, barley, oats and ray, while moderately resistant were Sudan grass and millet. Testing kernel hardness and continuous improving of kernel resistance to storage insect pests could provide lower losses in stored grain quality and quantity.One of the most important pests of stored grains is Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), whose larvae feed primarily on germinal part of the kernels, causing a reduction of seed germination and seed viability. This is detrimental for seeds of high category. However, seeds of different species within the same taxonomic family have different morphology (thickness of seed-coat, presence or absence of palea, palea loose or firmly attached to the seed etc.), which affects the susceptibility of seeds to P. interpunctella attack. The hypothesis was that seed hardness and the absence of palea could also significantly influence the life history of this pest. We assessed the suitability of different seeds from family Poacae (maize, wheat, barley, oats, ray, forage sorghum (variety), forage sorghum (hybrid), Sudan grass and millet) for P. interpunctella development and seeds susceptibility to pest attack (expressed in Susceptibility index –SI). The following parameters were monitored: larval mortality, adult emergence, mean developmental duration (from egg to adult) and female fecundity. Observations were carried out weekly, for 49 days. Data were statistically analyzed using Duncan’s multiple range Test. The highest larval mortality, the lowest number of emerged moths and the lowest fecundity were recorded on millet, Sudan grass and forage sorghum (variety and hybrid). However, the shortest larval development (27.8 days) and the highest fecundity (109.5-115.6 eggs) were on standard laboratory diet, maize and wheat. Morphometric measures of moths indicate that on unsuitable mediums like millet, Sudan grass, and different sorghum varieties the body lengths were statistically significantly shorter (0.5-0.6 cm) compared to other treatments (0.8-0.9 cm). According to the SI, the most susceptible were maize, wheat, barley, oats and ray, while moderately resistant were Sudan grass and millet. Testing kernel hardness and continuous improving of kernel resistance to storage insect pests could provide lower losses in stored grain quality and quantity
Remote monitoring of stored grain insect pests: Poster
No full textA number of remote sensing methods were developed and tested in commercial grain warehouses; probe pitfall traps attached to vacuum lines, surface pit fall traps equipped with video cameras and white boards on grain surface monitored with video cameras. These methods were compared with detecting insects using grain samples. Warehouse trials by trapped methods were carried out in bins with 8520 t of wheat from 23 May until 8 August 2016.Grain temperatures were from 22.7 to 31.6?. Psocids,Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel,were detected by grain samples, but there were higher number of pscoids trapped with the probe pitfall traps and pitfall traps than found in grain samples. Plodia interpunctella (Hübener), Sitophlius zeamais Motchulsky and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) were detected by probe pitfall trap, but not in the grain samples. S. zeamais was detected by the pit fall traps. Using the remote controlled video camera in the warehouse head space, we were able to distinguish and count S. zeamais, C. ferrugineus and psocids on white boards. The video from pitfall traps can be sent to mobile phones. With all these methods, data can be collected remotely, and could be analyzed by imagine analysis allowing for rapid real time monitoring of insect pests.A number of remote sensing methods were developed and tested in commercial grain warehouses; probe pitfall traps attached to vacuum lines, surface pit fall traps equipped with video cameras and white boards on grain surface monitored with video cameras. These methods were compared with detecting insects using grain samples. Warehouse trials by trapped methods were carried out in bins with 8520 t of wheat from 23 May until 8 August 2016.Grain temperatures were from 22.7 to 31.6?. Psocids,Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel,were detected by grain samples, but there were higher number of pscoids trapped with the probe pitfall traps and pitfall traps than found in grain samples. Plodia interpunctella (Hübener), Sitophlius zeamais Motchulsky and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) were detected by probe pitfall trap, but not in the grain samples. S. zeamais was detected by the pit fall traps. Using the remote controlled video camera in the warehouse head space, we were able to distinguish and count S. zeamais, C. ferrugineus and psocids on white boards. The video from pitfall traps can be sent to mobile phones. With all these methods, data can be collected remotely, and could be analyzed by imagine analysis allowing for rapid real time monitoring of insect pests
Visible Near Infrared Hyperspectral (VNIH) technique to differentiate Trogoderma variabile reared on different commodities: Poster
Get PDFA multi-parameter grain detection system based on industry 4.0: Poster
No full textA multi-parameter grain detection system based on industry 4.0 was used to map all kinds of sensors and devices into multiple network addresses through the integration of equipment, to realize the local visual perception and the network transmission of various grain data, using software plug-in architecture technology to build online extension of the software to achieve the corresponding grain multi-parameter monitoring plug-ins; setting sensor and device communication protocol standards to achieve remote monitoring of various grain situation data on the scene equipment Remote debugging and maintenance work to form a remote data center and equipment maintenance center. The system is compatible with a wide range of heterogeneous sensors and devices online and with a high degree of online scalability.A multi-parameter grain detection system based on industry 4.0 was used to map all kinds of sensors and devices into multiple network addresses through the integration of equipment, to realize the local visual perception and the network transmission of various grain data, using software plug-in architecture technology to build online extension of the software to achieve the corresponding grain multi-parameter monitoring plug-ins; setting sensor and device communication protocol standards to achieve remote monitoring of various grain situation data on the scene equipment Remote debugging and maintenance work to form a remote data center and equipment maintenance center. The system is compatible with a wide range of heterogeneous sensors and devices online and with a high degree of online scalability
Global establishment risk of stored products beetles: Poster
No full textStored-product beetles were regarded as some of the most important stored-product pests in the world. Predicting which one in hundreds of potential invasive stored-product beetles is the most likely to invade a region presents a significant challenge. A global presence/absence dataset, including 201 economically significant stored beetles in 143 countries/regions, was analysed using a Self-Organizing Map (SOM) to categorize regions based on similarities in species assemblages. This method is able to rank these stored-product beetles based on risk of establishment indices (values between 0 and 1). From the six countries/regions selected from each continent, we can have an overview of the global invasive risk of this group of beetles. We also found that those countries geographically close were clustered together by the SOM analysis because they have similar beetle assemblages and therefore represent greater threats to each other as sources of invasive stored-product beetles.Stored-product beetles were regarded as some of the most important stored-product pests in the world. Predicting which one in hundreds of potential invasive stored-product beetles is the most likely to invade a region presents a significant challenge. A global presence/absence dataset, including 201 economically significant stored beetles in 143 countries/regions, was analysed using a Self-Organizing Map (SOM) to categorize regions based on similarities in species assemblages. This method is able to rank these stored-product beetles based on risk of establishment indices (values between 0 and 1). From the six countries/regions selected from each continent, we can have an overview of the global invasive risk of this group of beetles. We also found that those countries geographically close were clustered together by the SOM analysis because they have similar beetle assemblages and therefore represent greater threats to each other as sources of invasive stored-product beetles
Technical and economic evaluation of ambient and chilled aeration strategies to maintain the quality of paddy rice during storage in a tropical climate: Presentation
No full textWarm and moist conditions of some tropical climate regions make it difficult to use ambient aeration to cool stored grain, which contributes to pest problems and increases dependence on chemical control as part of grain management strategies. Grain chilling is a non-chemical alternative to cool grain stored under high risk climatic conditions. The objective of this research was to use computer simulation to evaluate the technical and economic viability of using grain chilling compared to four ambient aeration strategies developed for paddy rice stored under the tropical climatic conditions of the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The minimum grain temperature achieved through ambient aeration at the end of the six-month simulated storage period was 30.8°C, using an aeration strategy based on a grain-ambient temperature differential greater than 10°C. Grain chilling lowered the average grain temperature from 35°C to below 15°C in 117 hours and the maximum average temperature it registered after six months of storage was 15.5°C. The economic evaluation of the ambient aeration and chilling strategies determined that the operational costs of grain chilling were 1.83 US /t higher than the cost of ambient aeration plus chemical control over a 10-year analysis. Several potential financial options were analyzed to make the grain chiller economically feasible for a rice miller in Costa Rica.Warm and moist conditions of some tropical climate regions make it difficult to use ambient aeration to cool stored grain, which contributes to pest problems and increases dependence on chemical control as part of grain management strategies. Grain chilling is a non-chemical alternative to cool grain stored under high risk climatic conditions. The objective of this research was to use computer simulation to evaluate the technical and economic viability of using grain chilling compared to four ambient aeration strategies developed for paddy rice stored under the tropical climatic conditions of the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The minimum grain temperature achieved through ambient aeration at the end of the six-month simulated storage period was 30.8°C, using an aeration strategy based on a grain-ambient temperature differential greater than 10°C. Grain chilling lowered the average grain temperature from 35°C to below 15°C in 117 hours and the maximum average temperature it registered after six months of storage was 15.5°C. The economic evaluation of the ambient aeration and chilling strategies determined that the operational costs of grain chilling were 1.83 US /t higher than the cost of ambient aeration plus chemical control over a 10-year analysis. Several potential financial options were analyzed to make the grain chiller economically feasible for a rice miller in Costa Rica