A Review Of Selected Research On Post-Harvest Losses Of Grains And The Utilization Of Farm Level Storage In Developing Countries

An analysis of food production and population trends reveals that mankind will continue to struggle to feed itself. From 1970-1976, annual per capita food production increased 1.4% in developed countries and at less than 1% in developing ones. Population growth rates have been declining in the former, but have remained more or less constant and at much higher levels in the latter. Therefore increasing food supply is more critical in developing countries. Three approaches are often mentioned to help cope with the possible world food shortage: 1) increase food supplies by increasing production; 2) reduce future increase in demand by slowing population growth; and 3) increase food availability by reducing post-harvest losses. All three approaches are necessary in an overall strategy to solve the world food problem.