Plantwise have recently been investigating APHLIS data, a great source of information on postharvest losses in Sub-Saharan Africa. The system is run by a network of local experts who collect and supply data. Using a shared database and a Losses Calculator APHLIS provide estimates of weight losses for cereal grains at a national and provincial level.
The estimated scale of the PHL problem for different crops in 2013
Data is collected on crop type, farm type and climatic region and then several seasonal factors such as the duration of damp weather, harvest/market dates and storage periods are taken into account to calculate the loss estimates. Data can be viewed as tables or maps on the APHLIS website.
ALPHIS also publish pest information on the Larger Grain Borer (LGB). This particular pest attacks maize and dried cassava roots. The LGB can be very damaging compared with conventional pests of maize. If a severe attack of the pest is present, the estimated storage weight losses can double.
PHL are impacting maize production in Plantwise countries
For more information check out the APHLIS Website
Or have a look our resources in the Plantwise Knowledge Bank:
Pest Management Decision Guides:
Factsheets for Farmers:
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Reblogged this on INNOVATING AGRIBUSINESS.
“Plantwise have recently been investigating APHLIS data, a great source of information on postharvest losses in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Based on this introductory sentence I thought this blog was a commentary or a review of the APHLIS. What were the finding of the investigation?