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Maize, also known as corn, is one of the world's most important crops, serving as a staple food for many cultures and a crucial ingredient in various industrial products. 

 

After the arduous task of cultivation and harvesting, the care taken during the post-harvest period is paramount to ensure the quality and longevity of this precious crop. Effective post-harvest management not only preserves the nutritional value of maize but also contributes to food security and economic stability. 

 

In this article, we'll explore some essential techniques for taking care of maize post-harvest.

 

1. Drying: The Foundation of Preservation

Immediately after harvest, maize must undergo proper drying to reduce moisture content. Excess moisture can lead to mold growth, insect infestations, and a decrease in overall quality. Traditional methods involve sun drying on clean surfaces, while modern approaches include mechanical dryers that offer controlled conditions for optimal drying.

 

Despite their harmful effects on the environment, a significant number of farmers are currently using pesticides in an inconsistent manner to seek immediate pest control.

In just one year since its inception, PlantVillage Dream Team Uganda has achieved an astonishing milestone, conducting a record-breaking 10,636 crop surveys using the innovative PlantVillage Nuru application.

In an impressive turnout, passionate farmers from Kisii County, Kenya, gathered as the PlantVillage team, experts from the parasitoid rearing labs, launched a transformative 3-day mission to combat the fall armyworm menace in the region. The objective was clear - to empower farmers with the art of biocontrol and promote sustainable agriculture through innovative, eco-friendly methods. The event also highlighted the power of technology in agriculture, with the introduction of the PlantVillage Nuru app to the farmers, a digital assistant to diagnose crop diseases in the field.

PlantVillage has successfully conducted a series of capacity-building trainings in Malawi under the MaDiPHS project, which has empowered lead farmers in the districts of Thyolo, Lilongwe, and Dedza. These lead farmers play a crucial role as role models, testing new technologies, providing training to other farmers, and sharing valuable knowledge and skills within their communities.

 

 

During the training sessions, PlantVillage provided lead farmers with smartphones that came pre-installed with the PlantVillage Nuru Application. This advanced tool allows them to diagnose crop diseases directly on their own farms and those of their peers, even without an internet connection. Additionally, lead farmers can access weather information, seek expert advice, and receive prompt feedback from a team of agricultural specialists.

 

PlantVillage Nepal has joined forces with conservationists in a collaborative effort to safeguard forests and agricultural land from invasive weeds by transforming them into valuable biochar for farmers.

PlantVillage is guiding elders in Marsabit County, Kenya, on a grazing management initiative to address overgrazing as one of the challenges that have led to a shortage of pasture for livestock.

 

The initiative aims at educating locals on the importance of managing their pastures to reduce the number of animals that die from lack of food.

 

Gudas Garawahle, one of the elders pioneering the initiative, noted that pasture inadequacy has claimed many of their livestock, especially in the dry seasons.

 

"Young pastures are depleted even before the dry season knocks in, and this leads to starvation, malnourishment, and the deaths of our animals," Garawahle pointed out.

Recently, PlantVillage, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) collaborated in training two farmer groups in Msambweni and Kilifi North sub-counties on ways of propagating cassava seed, including tissue culture, minisetts, and pencil cuttings, with the aim of increasing clean cassava seed.

The training involved building a shade net in Kwale and Kilifi for the 10-member group in each county to grow propagated seeds to be provided by KEPHIS.

 

 

Three PlantVillage Tanzania officials have concluded their week-long benchmarking trip to Kenya.

In African culture, children embody not only the prosperity and reputation of a family but also the transmission of essential values and traditions across generations. Sadly, the adverse impacts of climate change have shaken the stability of the African family institution, jeopardizing the well-being of children who face the risk of food insecurity and other basic necessities.

According to UNICEF, the Horn of Africa has witnessed a distressing surge in the number of children facing malnutrition, hunger, and thirst, with figures escalating by 40 percent from 7.5 million to 10 million between February and April.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, PlantVillage, dedicated to assisting low-income families reliant on small-scale farming, has implemented strategies aimed at ensuring that the African child not only has access to food but also acquires knowledge and tools to address the climate change crisis.