ECHO Development Notes (EDN) EDN Issue #160

Low-Cost Seed Storage Technologies

Tim Motis

This article summarizes ECHO research published in Experimental Agriculture by Trail et al. (2022). Many smallholder farmers in the tropics do not have electricity or access to equipment for climate-controlled seed storage. There are, however, low-cost technologies that can be used instead. The main objective of this research, therefore, was to test the effectiveness of some of these technologies for keeping seeds dry in a hot and humid environment. 

Extending Postharvest Life of Fresh Produce

Robert Walle

Food production is important, but farmers must also protect against crop loss prior to consumption or sale. Fresh fruit and vegetables are high in value but susceptible to spoilage. Improving post-harvest practices helps farmers make profitable sales. This can be a difference between a successful farming business and simply growing crops. This article concentrates on simple postharvest practices small-scale farmers can implement to increase their earnings from harvested produce.

Experiments to Control Millipedes with Locally Available Ingredients

David Uhr, Ph.D. and Galima Mowolo

Millipede species can cause severe damage to various crops. We have heard reports of heavy damage from West Africa, but also more recently from Uganda. Effective chemical controls are expensive and difficult to obtain for many rural farmers. Thus, we are trying to identify locally available products that might reduce damage. These experiments are just the beginning of this effort, and we are planning to continue investigating local options for millipede control.

Erythrina berteroana

Robert Walle

Erythrina berteroana is an agroforestry tree with many uses including animal fodder and soil improvement. Native to Central America, common names of E. berteroana include helequeme, coral bean, and pito.