On-farm investigation of integrated post-harvest management practice for the reduction of post-harvest loss of maize in West Gojjam, Ethiopia

Maize is the primary crop cultivated in Ethiopia, but it experiences significant post-harvest losses due to poor handling practices. Threshing and storage methods play a major role. This study investigated the impact of threshing and storage methods on storage losses and the physicochemical composition of maize grain under farmers’ house conditions. Hand & mechanical threshing methods, and different storage structures were evaluated over a six-month storage period. Threshing and storage methods had a significant effect (p < .05) on post-harvest loss indicators. Hand-threshed maize stored in polypropylene bags exhibited the highest number of live insects (312.83 insects/kg), weight loss (22.17%), and grain damage (39.29%). In contrast, maize stored in PICS bags and a metal silo showed significantly lower rates of loss and good physical properties. Chemical compositions except ash were not significantly affected by the treatments. Promoting integrated post-harvest practices, mechanical threshers, and hermetic storage can effectively reduce maize loss.