INTRODUCTION AND
IMPROVEMENT OF POSTHARVEST AND GRAIN STORAGE
SYSTEMS IN THE BAY REGIONSOMALIA
Presented at the Regional Workshop on Dryland
Farming Practices in Emergency and PostEmergency Context
October 6-7, 08
Nairobi, Kenya
HUSSEIN HAJI
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
OVERVIEW
Introduction
 Post-harvest losses
 Grain storage systems
 Experiences and lessons learned from other
regions within the country using improved
storage system
 A proposed plan for improving post-harvest
and storage losses in the in the Bay Region

(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Introduction


Sorghum is the major
crop
Production is low due
to to:




Moisture stress
Lack of inputs
Pre-harvest
constraints
Post-harvest and
storage limitations
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Post-harvest Losses




Post-harvest and storage grain losses are
estimated as 20-30% of the total production.
In Southern Somalia, this translates to economic
losses ranging between 50,000 and 80,000
tones per year
corresponding to an estimated value of US$ 15
and 25 million, respectively.
These losses are mainly due to lack of proper
handling of the crop soon after harvest and the
use of the traditional storage structures
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Grain Storage systems
I- traditional

Underground pits –
most commonly used
II- Others



Sacks
Drums (metal and
plastic)
bags
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Tradition Storage system
Factors contributing to grain storage losses
in underground pits:
Temperature
 Humidity

Higher temperature and higher humidity provide
optimum conditions for disease development
and spread
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Tradition Storage system
Problems
 Migration of moisture
from the surrounding soil
walls
 Exposed to heavy rains
and floods
 Development of fungi and
insects
 Conducive conditions for
rodents
 Multiplication of fungi
called Aspergillus –
deadly to humans
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Tradition Storage system
Grain discoloration
 Loss of grain quantity and quality traits

(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Tradition Storage system
Post-emergency study conducted in the Bay
Region by GTZ indicate that in all tested
pits, moisture and temperature were
conducive for fungal development,
therefore, grains had potential aflatoxins
contamination
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Tradition Storage system
How to improve the traditional system?
1.
2.
Improving post-harvest practices
Improving the storage system
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Tradition Storage system
I. Improving post-harvest practices
Moulded and damaged grain should be
separated
 Improved sun drying
 Rapid collection in case of excessive rain
 Transportation (grain damage and spelling)
 Packing, loading and handling

(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Tradition Storage system
II. Improving the
traditional system



Coating pit wall with
maize/sorghum sticks
or plastic sheets
Digging drainage
system around the pits
Establishment of pits
in elevated position
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Experience and lessons learned
Storage in drums and plastic containers
 Gaining popularity in parts of southern Somalia
and Somaliland)
 Inaccessible to rodents, efficient against insects
and sealed against entry of water
 Grain conserve their market quality and value for
up to 5 years
 Significant reduction in post-harvest losses
 In 2007, 78% of the beneficiary farmers in
Somaliland were found utilizing the new drum
system
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Experience and lessons learned
Disadvantages:
 Limited capacity
(max. 200 kg)
 In high agriculture
potential areas like
the Bay region, bigger
storage capacity will
be required
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Household metal silos





Proposed storage
technology for the Bay
Region
Similar in concept to the
drum storage
Has been tested in many
countries with
measurable success
It has helped many
African countries reduce
storage losses
It can be built locally with
different sizes of storage
capacity
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Household metal silos


It’s simple, efficient
and can store grain
for longer period of
time without altering
grain quality
Will farmers to store
grain and sell product
when the market price
is high
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Household metal silos
Target groups
The farmers within the project area
 artisans/craftsmen
 Somali agriculture professionals and
technicians involved in the implementation of
the action

(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Household metal silos
The process:
Train master trainers on silos construction
 Train artigans from different villages
 Organize field tours and demonstrations
 Train farmers on proper use of the silos
 Establishment of artigan centres
 Promotion of the new technology through
available media outlets

(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
Summary





Improvement of pos-harvest and storage
facilities are cost effective and contribute to food
security
Improved storage will allow a continues supply
of food throughout the year either for domestic
consumption or for trade
It will provide a reserve for contingencies such
as drought
Allow the farmers to sell at a time when prices
are favorable
Will reduce the exposure to aflatoxins
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group
THANK YOU
(SATG) Somali Agriculture
Technical Group