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The constant growth of the world's population requires substantial resources for the production of food. Post-harvest activities have an important role to play in achieving this objective. Inadequate storage methods in developing countries still lead to losses in food of an unacceptable degree. It is economical and environmentally to protect harvested food from deterioration increase of production in order to substitute post-harvest losses consumes additional capital, labour and natural resources. Thus post-harvest protection is at the same time practised environmental protection.
In consequence a great deal more attention should be paid to technical and practical aspects of storage protection. This is the main aim of this manual. It has been written primarily to provide practical instruction and assistance to storekeepers, plant protection technicians, agricultural extension and quarantine staff who are concerned with storage problems in their daily work. At the same time, this manual intended to provide decision-makers with basic information, and to convey the practical side of post-harvest protection to scientists.
The contents of the manual centred on simple and economical facilities and storage methods, in line with the requirements of the developing countries. Particular attention is paid to the storage of cereals and legumes due to their special importance.
The manual forms part of the efforts being made by the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation to prevent post-harvest food losses in developing countries.