Post-harvest Management
Important procedures for post-harvest
Important equipment for post-harvest
Dry the paddy uniformly using a mechanical dryer with 12-14 hours after harvest to achieve 12-14% MC.
- Sun drying may also done within 48 hours after harvest if mechanical dryer is not available.
- Sun drying may be done on clean concrete pavements or tarpaulins
- Stir the paddy every 30 minutes to ensure uniform drying
- Avoid drenching grains under the rain
- Place the dried paddy on pallets to avoid the damping of grains while waiting for cleaning
- Line the pallets with plastic sacks before stacking properly
- If there’s more than one variety harvested, label the sacks properly.
- Avoid mixing of varieties
- Clean the dried grains 2-3 days after harvest to remove chaff, unfilled grains, straw, and other materials.
- If grain cleaner is used, regulate the speed to minimize losses.
- Clean the machine every time after use to minimize contamination of other varieties (especially for seeds)
- If grains are not sold immediately, store the grains in a waterproof, pest-proof, and well-ventilated storehouse.
- Sanitize the storage house and keep it away pests such as birds, rodents, and insects
- Arrange pallets for easy stacking and retrieval of sacks
- Properly label the paddy lots
- Check the stored grains for heating by lifting the top bag and checking the bags below for increased temperature.
- Inspect bags regularly for pest damage and/or moisture. Stained bags indicates re-wetting of the grains
- Always keep the storage area clean and do not store the paddy together with agrochemicals and fertilizers.
