Review of on - farm grain storage in Tanzania

A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE GRAIN IS STORED AND CONSUMED ON THE FARM, THOUGH ALL WHEAT IS MARKETED THROUGH THE NATIONAL MILLING CORPORATION. NEARLY ALL FARM STORAGE CONTAINERS INVOLVE INDIGENOUS MATERIALS AND CAN BE CLASSIFIED INTO SIX CATEGORIES: 1) IN HOMES ABOVE COOKING AREAS, IN BASKETS OR IN BARK CONTAINERS: 2) EAR MAIZE STORAGE ON POLES: 3) "BASKETS" WOVEN FROM REEDS, BAMBOO, OR GRASS (MAY BE COVERED WITH OTHER SUBSTANCE): 4) DRIED GOURDS FOR SMALL QUANTITIES: 5) MUD POTS WITH SEALED LIDS: AND 6) METAL DRUMS. THE MAIN CAUSES OF LOSS AND DAMAGE ARE IMPROPER AND INADEQUATE POST-HARVEST GRAIN HANDLING, DRYING, AND STORAGE METHODS, BUT THE ACTUAL LOSSES IN TANZANIA HAVE NOT BEEN DETERMINED. RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE FARM LEVEL GRAIN STORAGE IN TANZANIA INCLUDE: 1) ESTABLISHMENT OF A "FARM STORAGE SECTION" WITHIN THE CROP DEVELOPMENT DIVISION. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE; 2) EXTENSION OF "KILIMO" TECHNICAL SERVICES TO ON-FARM STORAGE PROBLEMS; 3) INITIATION OF RESEARCH ON ASPECTS OF FARM STORAGE AT THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE. UNIVERSITY OF DAR-ES-SALAAM, MOROGORO; 4) APPOINTMENT OF A QUALIFIED STORAGE PERSON TO THE NATIONAL CROP RESEARCH COORDINATING COMMITTEE; 5) PROVISION OF A QUALIFIED GRAIN STORAGE SPECIALIST TO "KILIMO" FOR TWO YEARS; AND 6) SHORT-COURSE TRAINING FOR FOUR KILIMO PERSONNEL AND LONG-TERM TRAINING IN GRAIN STORAGE FOR SIX OTHER CAREFULLY SELECTED TANZANIANS.