Changing harvest time refers to adjusting harvest time to focus on optimal moisture conditions, thereby avoiding losses from mould, decay and possible disease, while also considering optimal maturity of the crop. This approach encourages the reduction in potential losses of ripened grain and increases potential higher quality grain for consumption or market. Harvesting of crops when physiologically mature can minimise losses during transportation to the homestead. Physiological harvesting refers to the time when a grain (fruit, etc.) can be separated from its parent plant and continues to ripen over time. Farmers should consider planting earlier or later or consider planting faster or slower maturing varieties to avoid issues of post-harvest loss. This is a climate smart practice because it reduces potential losses of ripened grain, increase the quality of grain harvested, and is overall a more efficient use of resources, all while mitigating the spread of diseases and reducing GHG emissions.
To effectively implement Changing Harvest Time practices:
- Step 1: Consider researching recent rainfall records and consult national meteorological services to as accurately predict start of rainy season as possible.
- Step 2: Farmers should consult data provided by the African Post Harvest Loss Information System (APHLIS), which provides information on harvest loss and additional resources to consult.
- Step 3: Consult with national agricultural extension and research to determine growing periods of chosen crops. Request information about quicker or slower maturing seeds.
- Step 4: Plant crops at the right time so as to avoid harvesting during rainy season.
- Step 5: Harvest as soon as crops are physiologically mature.
- Step 6: Wait 24 hours after a rain period to harvest if rain is unavoidable. This may take several days, however, harvesting crops after one rain is better than leaving it for an entire rainy season.
- Step 7: Crops should be transported to the storage for immediate drying.
- APHLIS News, 2019. African Post Harvest Post Harvest Loss Information System. Washington D.C.
- Food and Agriculture (FAO), 2016. Information on Post-Harvest Operations (INPhO). Italy, Rome.
- World Food Programme, 2012. Training Manual for Improving Grain Post-Harvest Handling and Storage. University of Greenwich.
Benefits
- Reduces the potential loss of ripened grain and increases potential higher quality grain for consumption or market.
- It improves crop production, food security and farm income.
Drawbacks
- Moisture from rainfall at harvest time can risk crop degradation post-harvest, due to mould, decay and disease.
- Different crops have different growing seasons, and this should be known and monitored constantly, specifically as climate change has been shown to alter growing seasons, which will in turn impact harvesting times.
