Chitedze

The storage pest management team carries out research on pests which attack produce after harvest. In addition, the team also conducts research on storage structures and processing.

Areas of research

(i) Screening various varieties for resistance/tolerance to attack by storage pests and chemicals
(ii) Screening indigenous plants and chemicals for grain protection properties.
(iii) Developing appropriate storage structures for various crops.

Main activities

(i) conducting crop storage loss assessments,
(ii) conducting courses on fumigation for the private sector,
(iii) monitoring the presence of the Larger Grain Borer (LGB) (Prostephanus truncatus), and
(iv) providing advisory services on post-harvest pest and disease control measures.

Major achievements

(i) recommended appropriate storage structures for various crops.
(ii) use of actellic super for LGB and weevil control, and
(iii) recommended of other chemical control measures for storage protection.