1Department of Plant Pathology, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu-603 201, Tamil Nadu, India.
2Department of Entomology, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu-603 201, Tamil Nadu, India.
3Department of Post Harvest Technology, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu-603 201, Tamil Nadu, India.
4Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu-603 201, Tamil Nadu, India.
*Corresponding Authors: R. Nisha, Department of Entomology, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu-603 201, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: nishar1@srmist.edu.in
**J. Vanitha, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu-603 201, Tamil Nadu, India. Email: vanithaj@srmist.edu.in
Post-harvest losses (PHL) is a crucial strategy in the global effort to ensure food security for a growing population and achieve sustainable development. With food production needing to increase by 70% by 2050, the staggering reality of up to 40–50% food waste in some regions due to spoilage and infestation presents a significant challenge. Also reducing PHL is not just an option; it is a critical component of an integrated approach to realise the full potential of agriculture. It is very important in combating hunger, increasing income and improving livelihoods. Investing in PHL reduction is seen as relatively modest, yet it yields rapid returns, making it a highly effective pathway to enhancing food availability, reducing poverty and optimizing resource use. Addressing PHL is essential for nourishing a growing global population while minimising the pressure on our planet’s precious assets. In global food systems, post-harvest loss is a major problem. Diseases and insect pests are becoming formidable competitors when it involves retaining agricultural products fresh after harvest. Both quantitative depletion and major qualitative degradation result from the significant harm these biological organisms cause to stored grains. Insect infestations and pathogen infections compromise food safety, nutritional value and marketability from the immediate post-harvest period through storage, processing and distribution. This exacerbates food insecurity and causes significant financial hardship for farmers and supply chain participants globally. In India, post-harvest loss (PHL) in rice is a serious problem that affects farmer earnings, food security and overall economic effectiveness.
Disease, Pest, Post harvest losses, Rice
