Title: Post-harvest cereal structures and climate change resilience in rural Zimbabwe: a review

Authors: Rudo Florence Mapfeka; Ronald Mandumbu; Tapiwa Zengeza; Agathar Kamota; Blessing Masamha; Farai Desire Marongwe; Eleanor Florence Mutsamba-Magwaza; Elijah Nyakudya; George Nyamadzawo

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe ' Department of Crop Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe ' Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe ' Department of Crop Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe ' Department of Natural Resources, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe ' Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe ' Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe ' Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, MP 167, Mt. Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe ' Department of Environmental Science, Bindura University of Science Education, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe

Abstract: Farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa use storage structures that help maintain grain quality and safety. This study reviewed the use of different grain storage structures used by smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe namely granaries, metal silos, supergrain bags, polypropylene bags and cribs. Metal silos and supergrain bags, however costly, have hermetic properties that kill pests while granaries dilapidate with time. Cribs are susceptible to moisture entry, while polypropylene bags are prone to perforations by sharp objects. This review discussed the impact of climate change on preservation of grain quality during storage. Moulds, insect pest infestations and rodent attacks are major challenges that cause storage losses. Knowledge barriers, cost, fear of the unknown, effectiveness of storage structure and security of grain are factors that affect the diversity of storage structure use. Proper use of storage structures contributes towards achieving sustainable development goals and increases farmer resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Keywords: cereals; climate change adaptation; food security; storage losses; grain preservation; post-harvest; storage structures; Zimbabwe.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2019.106460

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2019 Vol.6 No.4, pp.257 - 275

Received: 10 Oct 2019
Accepted: 22 Nov 2019
Published online: 07 Apr 2020 *

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