Traditional knowledge of post-harvest crop handling by tribal farmers of northern Andhra Pradesh

The tribal communities inhabiting the agency areas of Northern Andhra Pradesh grow crops mainly that serve the food requirements besides depending on forest produce. Exploratory surveys were made to document the indigenous food grain preservation practices of these tribal farmers and the information was collected through group discussions and personal interactions with the elders of the ethnic groups. Structures made up of bamboo splits of different sizes and shapes are being used for storage of paddy and finger millet grains. The number of bamboo structures and quantity of grain stored is determined by the size of the family. Maize cobs, pigeonpea and cowpea pods are tied in bundles and suspended in the kitchen area, as the smoke keeps them away from insect pest infestation and moisture. Dried bottle gourds are most commonly used containers for storage of different grains. Finger millet grains are solar dried and processed locally by house wives and the flour is stored in earthen pots. Maize cobs are shelled manually after drying and the kernels are sold in the market or to the middlemen. Integration of these indigenous techniques of storage of food grains with modern scientific knowledge would be more economical and profitable to the tribal farmers.