Food Science & Nutrition Technology ISSN: 2574-2701 MEDWIN PUBLISHERS Commited to Create Value for Researchers Indigenous Knowledge of Farmer on Grain Storage and Management Practice in Ethiopia Food Sci & Nutri Tech Indigenous Knowledge of Farmer on Grain Storage and Management Practice in Ethiopia Haile Tesfaye Duguma* Department of Post-Harvest Management, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Ethiopia *Corresponding author: Haile Tesfaye Duguma, Department of Post-Harvest Management, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Ethiopia, Tel: +251913525338; Email: hailetesfaye840@gmail.com Research Article Volume 5 Issue 4 Received Date: July 29, 2019 Published Date: August 20, 2020 DOI: 10.23880/fsnt-16000224 Abstract Maize is the primary staple crop grown, nearly in all agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia. Despite the steady production of maize, post-harvest losses of maize remained a serious challenge. In Ethiopia, traditionally farmers use different storages structure for their grain. Gombisa is one of above ground storage structure used by most of farmers. However, those traditional storage structures were not effective in protecting the grain from insect, microbial infestation and environmental factors. Farmers have indigenous knowledge of storage management practices to cop up with this post-harvest loss. The traditional wisdom and methods of storage can protect commodities from insect infestation for substantially longer periods. Among the farmers’ practices; sun drying, use of botanicals, hanging over fire, mixing with wood ash, mixing with partially ground chillies (hot pepper), and storing unshelled maize were some of the storage practice proven effective in minimizing storage infestation. Some of these practices were also effective in controlling mould development that leads to the occurrence of aflatoxin. This review suggested that, modifying traditional storage structure and providing improved storage systems that are affordable for smallholder farmers, could be a possible option to mitigate post-harvest loss. Keywords: Above Ground Storage; Botanicals, Gombisa; Smoking, Storage Management Practice; Underground Storage Introduction Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in most Sub- Saharan African (SSA) countries, contributing significantly to Gross Domestic Product [1]. In this sector, grains are major product World Bank [2] of which maize is the main contributor. Globally, Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important crop after rice and wheat [3]. Maize is a basic staple food grain for large parts of world including Africa, Latin America, and Asia [4]. It is an important cereal grain grown widely in sub-Saharan Africa as a staple food crop [5] contributes to food security of small-scale farmers [6]. In Ethiopia, maize is the second most widely cultivated crop and grown under diverse agro-ecologies and socioeconomic conditions typically under rain-fed [7]. In Ethiopia, maize production increased due to improved input use and extension services [8] however, undeniable losses arise by the time of storage, mostly due to storage insects [9]. Post-harvest losses are one of the major challenges for food security in the developing world. Among the key constraints to improve food security in Africa, losses resulting from poor post-harvest management of grains are the major factor [10]. A substantial amount of food grains is being damaged after harvest due to lack of adequate storage and processing facilities [11]. In many developing and the sub-Saharan African countries, grain storage practices involve traditional structures, which are largely ineffective in