A Systematic Assessment of Paddy Losses at Various Stages from Harvest to Storage in the State of Goa

Abstract

Paddy, the main field crop of Goa, is not profitable due to small and fragmented landholdings, inaccessible fields, lack of farm work force and mechanization. A study was conducted to assess the post-harvest practices and losses of paddy in Goa using the methodology developed by AICRP-PHT, ICAR to estimate losses by enquiry and actual observation methods. The study indicated that traditional methods of manual harvesting, threshing, winnowing, sun-drying on road side, parboiling in brass pots and storage in woven polybags with Vitex negundo (lingur leaves) or neem leaves for unprocessed paddy and boric powder for milled rice, were practiced in the state during 2011-13 with a slight shift towards mechanization during 2013-15. Most of the rice mills in Goa needed modernization and product diversification. Data indicated total losses of 19.26±14.63 % and 11.31±12.09 % by enquiry, and 5.92±2.62 % and 9.04±9.74 % (excluding parboiling by observation) in various unit operations of paddy production in the year 2011-13 and 2013-15, respectively. No on-farm value addition by farmers was practiced. Interventions in terms of infrastructure and mechanization, sensitization through trainings on modern methods of harvesting, processing, value addition, and improved storage methods are required to reduce the postharvest losses in Goa, and ensure better profit margin for farmers.