Reducing Postharvest Losses in Pulses through Improved On-Farm Storage Technologies in Punjab: A case Study from Chakwal

Abstract

Post-harvest loss is still one of the significant constraints for the profitability and efficiency of the pulses value chain in Pakistan. Traditional storage technology is frequently used by smallholder farmers, which allows insects to infest the produce, moisture to damage it, and reduces its quality. In this study, technical and economic feasibility of the improved storage technologies such as hermetic bags and Anagi drums for chickpea and mung bean storage is evaluated in Chakwal, Punjab. The experimental approach is adopted in the storage units of the lead farmers from Lawa and Kot Sarang tehsils of Chakwal. Produce was stored for four months under three storage conditions: traditional gunny bags, hermetic bags and Anagi drums. Grain damage and quality was determined by the evaluation of local experts from the market who are the regular buyer of produce from the farmers in this area. The results showed that Anagi drums were significantly better to reduce storage losses and to preserve the grain quality than the traditional bags and hermetic bags. Hermetic bags also worked better than the traditional storage methods. The results exhibited that better storage technologies can significantly increase the value chain efficiency, lower the post-harvest losses, and increase the farmer's profitability. The study also complements the literature of postharvest management and supports to modernize the pulses value chain in Pakistan. Policy implications comprise scaling of farmer training, promoting private sector involvement and enabling access to affordable storage technologies.