A STUDY OF POSTHARVEST PRACTICES ON PADDY, WHEAT AND PULSES IN SELECTED AREAS OF BARH SUBDIVISION UNDER PATNA DISTRICT OF BIHAR STATE

The study was undertaken to know the existing postharvest practices followed by the farmers in three blocks namely Barh, Pandarak and Mokama under Barh Subdivision of Patna District Majority of the farmers carry paddy, wheat and pulses on heads. Majority of the farmers thresh paddy, wheat and pulses by threshor followed by tractor, beating on drums and by ox-treading. Most of the farmers store in jute bags followed by drums and earthen pots/kacha kothi. Twenty eight percent women had poor knowledge about the post harvest losses but they donot get training or advice on post harvest activities.Most of the farmers of the survey area opined that minimization of postharvest loss would be possible by contolling the attack of stored grain pests and also by stacking the crop at clean place.