By Umar Nsubuga
Many produce buyers are having a field day, stacking the produce away in their stores ready to make windfall profits in the near future.
Seasons change and market prices on offer are low and, in many instances, less than the cost of production.
Remember that your target as a business-oriented farmer is to recover the money and time invested with a comfortable profit on total investments.
Storing produce
Kenneth Kabagambe, a commercial farmer who has silos in Nyabugorogoro village, Kyenjojo district says a farm must always have good storage facilities.
“It does not matter whether the unit is small, medium or very big. Lack of farm storage can cause panic to a farmer,” he explains.
Remember that even the produce traders offering peanuts for your harvest will store it for better prices. The trick they apply is simply good storage, he says.
He says well-stored produce can last several months after harvest.
“Good storage will give the farmer breathing space to sell at the appropriate time. The need for storage applies equally to fresh and dry produce,” he notes.
At the time of harvest, Kabagambe says the fruits must not only be mature but also dry.
“Immature fruits will likely carry pests from the field to the farmhouse. Remove produce from the field and spread it out to dry on a concrete yard or slab,” he explains.
Charles Lubega another commercial farmer in Zirobwe says farmers who are unable to afford a permanent drying area can make a clean hard surface using cow dung mixed with sand.
“The area needs to be smeared with cow dung a few days to the drying process. When constructing the drying area, make sure that it is slightly sloped to allow free movement of water in case it rains,” Lubega explains.
Also, make sure that the area is adequately protected to prevent produce that is being dried from getting washed away, he says.
A clean drying area is the first step to good quality produce. He explains that It does not matter what type of produce is being dried. The quality is grossly affected by the way it is handled soon after harvest.
Storage
Kabagambe says good storage is all about space. A spacious well-ventilated store will ensure that the drying process of the produce will continue after you remove it from the sunshine and transfer it to the store.
“The air blowing through the vents in the store will help to drive away moisture from the store. This enables a continuous drying process,” he states.
According to Kabagambe, the next day the produce should be put out in the sun and taken back to the store 3-4 hours before darkness sets in.
The drying process should be repeated for several days before the produce is sorted and bagged for storage.
He adds that this can prove quite tedious but farmers should get used to it. Storing produce is part of completing the farming process which is better known as post-harvest handling.
Kabagambe says, “Post-harvest handling besides drying the produce, it enables the farmer to sort out his produce into various grades. The farmer is now able to produce quality material targeted for particular markets”.
