Storage Practices

The many ingenious and effective practices for crop harvesting and storage developed by traditional farmers over the centuries warrant careful study and evaluation, as some of their practices might be more practical and appropriate for traditional conditions than the storage practices current in modern agriculture.

Maize field in Mexico in which ears have been twisted down (doblando la mazorca).

Farmers found that by using this practice the grain is protected from rain, it dries better on the plant in the sun than in storage, is less likely to be blown down by the wind, is less accessible to rats and birds, and reaches a low moisture content that greatly reduces storage deterioration.  

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More traditional agricultural methods :

| Mulching |

 | Slash/Mulch | Frijol Tapado / Web Blight |

| Manipulating Shade | Burning | Flooding |

 | Multiple Cropping | Using Organic Amendments |

| Rotations | Fallow | Raised Beds |

| Crop Diversity | Storage Practices |

| Multistory Systems |

Comments and suggestions welcomed ...