5 Harvesting and post-harvest practices

5.1 Harvesting
5.1.1

Determining the time of harvest

In order to determine the optimum time of harvest, the following factors could be considered:

Varietys growth duration and its capacity to be prolonged

Environmental conditions (water supply, soil condition, weather, etc)
Pest and disease incidence
Market demand
Market price
Need of land to plant the consecutive crop
Economic value of the consecutive crop

Sweetpotato roots are ready for harvesting between three to eight months after planting, often
much sooner than other root and tuber crops. Most sweetpotato varieties are normally
harvested at five months after planting. Harvesting too early or too late can result in low
yields. If the crop is harvested too early the roots will not had enough time to develop to their
maximum size. If the crop is harvested too late the storage roots may have become fibrous,
and the chances of the roots having been attacked by sweetpotato weevils or diseases
(particularly root rots) increases. In order to determine the optimum harvest time, farmers
should weigh the various factors listed above in the context of the prevailing conditions, and
find a balance between advantageous and disadvantageous factors, in relation to the
potential and needs of each individual farm enterprise.

5.1.2

Harvesting methods

In several places where sweetpotato is mainly grown basically for home consumption,
staggered/ piecemeal harvesting is practiced, whereby a few large roots are dug up and taken
back to the home for cooking while the other roots are left on the plants in the field, and will
be gradually be removed depending on the pattern of the households consumption. In East
Africa, women typically do the piecemeal harvesting, and they move around the field looking
for cracks on the mounds or ridges, which they perceive as being indicative of a sizeable root.
Mature roots are selected carefully during the harvesting and the earth is heaped up over the
remaining ones to allow them to continue bulking, the heaping up of earth will also protect the
roots from sun damage and reduce the chances of weevil access to them. Harvesting is
usually done carefully with locally made sharp sticks, rods or machetes in order to avoid
injuring the remaining roots. Other farmers harvest all the roots from one area of the field at
once using a hand hoe. Some farmers use both methods. Farmers usually harvest enough
sweetpotato for one or more meals for one or two days. Piecemeal harvesting can start as
early as two/ three months after planting for some varieties. Farmers do not usually harvest
large quantities at once, in order to avoid the roots rotting and being wasted. Harvesting a
large field all at once is usually only done when sweetpotato is destined for the market.
Different varieties respond differently to piecemeal harvesting; some produce larger or smaller
roots as a result of it, some have a longer time period over which piecemeal harvesting can
occur. Varieties with longer maturity periods are usually more suitable for piecemeal
harvesting than varieties with short maturity periods where all the storage roots tend to
mature at the same time.
The duration of piecemeal harvest varies by location and agro-ecology, harvesting can start
from three to eight months after planting and might go on for a period of one to nine months
depending on the variety. Harvest duration is a function of different factors such as variety,
soil type, availability of other foods, household size, disease and pest infestation, and weather
conditions. Under high sweetpotato weevil population pressure and during times of water

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stress, piecemeal harvesting could last only a month or less (as plants tend to dry up due to
disturbance of the root system, weevils infest any exposed roots and necks through the soil
cracks and multiply rapidly). At high altitudes with very low weevil population pressure,
piecemeal harvesting can last for six to nine months.
In some areas where commercial sweetpotato growing is common, market competition results
in some sweetpotato roots being harvested before they are mature. In the humid tropical parts
of East and Central Africa, it is possible to grow two crops of sweetpotato per year.
Harvesting of sweetpotato is mainly done manually and care needs to be taken to avoid
wounding the roots during harvesting. After harvest the roots are usually sorted manually.
Sorting involves the selection of roots into different lots based on shape, colour and other
physical parameters. Sorting can take place at different levels (field, roadside, market,
consumer, catering etc) depending on the intended use of the roots. The sweetpotato roots
are then usually covered with plant materials to protect them against direct sunshine which
can cause shrinkage and shrivelling.
In some parts of the world such as Japan and China where sweetpotato commercialisation is
advanced, mechanical harvesters are used. In this case, vines are removed before
harvesting, then the roots are dug out by machine. The roots are sorted and loaded onto
trucks. In many cases, sorting is done by hand. The vines are cut off prior to harvesting the
roots as this process allows the skin of the roots to become firmer making them less
vulnerable to bruising during harvesting.
Since the yields increase rapidly right up to the time the plant matures, harvesting before
maturity means a loss of market quality as well as yields.

5.1.3

Assessment of yield and crop value

If farmers are able to assess the sweetpotato yield in their field and are informed about the
market price at harvest time, they will be in a stronger bargaining position with the traders. An
experienced trader can estimate the number of roots in the soil by looking at just a few plants.
Farmers need to be able to do the same in order to calculate the value of their crop and to
ensure they dont sell it either directly from the field at a low value, or harvest it only to
discover the deal they agreed on is a poor one.
The quantity of storage roots in field can most easily be assessed by estimating the average
root weight per plant and multiplying this by the number of plants in the field. Another way is
to assess the average root weight per square meter and multiply this by the field area (in m2).
The average root weight per plant or per square meter should be assessed by observing (and
weighing if possible) a representative sample across the field. The second method using
weight per square meter is more difficult than the first one using weight per plant, particularly
when the field has an irregular shape and the exact area is difficult to measure. Therefore,
only the first method is discussed in detail here.
The weight of the roots sweetpotato plants produce can vary widely. Therefore it is necessary
to estimate the average weight of roots per plant. In order to do this we need to observe a
sample of at least 10 plants per 1,000-2,000 m2 to represent the whole crop, this example
assumes that the whole field is planted with the same variety of sweetpotato. These ten
plants must be selected randomly across the field. Digging up and weighing the roots is the
most reliable way to determine the weight per plant, but this is time consuming and might not
be acceptable to potential buyers. In that case, the soil covering the roots is partly removed to
observe the storage roots and estimate their total weight. Estimating the weight of roots in the
soil is a skill that can only be developed with practice. After having assessed the total sample,
the average weight per plant is calculated by totalling the weight of the individual plants and
dividing this by the total number of plants observed.
The plant population in the whole field can be determined by counting all productive plants,
which is the most accurate way, but very time consuming. A simpler slightly less accurate way
is to determine the average number of plants per step along a ridge, hence to count the total

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number of steps across all ridges or mounds in the field. If the shape of the field is regular and
allows easy division into equal parts, we only need to count the number of steps along the
ridges of half or quarter of the field, and then multiply that by two or four respectively and then
by the number of plants per step along the ridge to get a good estimate of the number of
plants in the whole field.
Example:
A. Weight of roots per plant
Plant 1 0.35 kg
Plant 2 0.50 kg
Plant 3 0.40 kg
Plant 4 0.75 kg
Plant 5 0.50 kg
Plant 6 0.55 kg
Plant 7 0.60 kg
Plant 8 0.20 kg
Plant 9 0.65 kg
Plant 10 0.40 kg
If we work out the average weight of roots per plant, we add up the total
weight of the roots of the 10 plants, then divide the total by 10
Total weight of roots of the ten plants = 4.9 kg
Divided by 10 = (4.9 10) = 0.49 kg
So the average weight of roots per plant is 0.49kg
B. One step along a ridge contains 5 plants.
C. The field can be divided into four equal parts; a quarter of the field contains 125 steps
along the ridges, which means the whole field contains 125 * 4 = 500 steps.
D. If there are 5 plants per step, and there are 500 steps in the whole field there are 5 *
500 = 2,500 plants in the whole field. Each of these plants has an average root
weight of 0.49 kg, so the root weight of the whole field is 0.49 * 2,500 = 1,225 kg.
E. The total (underground) crop value can be calculated by multiplying the total harvest
(kg) by the prevailing market price per kg of storage roots.

5.1.4

Packing and transporting of freshly harvested sweetpotato roots

Packing of the roots is usually done in the field. Farmers commonly pack the roots and
strategically place the large roots at the top on the bag to quickly attract the buyer on first
sight. Packing should minimize deterioration of the roots within the container and cushion
against impact and compression. During packing in the field care must be taken to minimise
physical damage that results from impact bruises due to stacking and overfilling of bags,
abrasion or vibration bruises due to root movement against each other. Therefore packages
should be neither loose (to avoid vibration bruising during transport) nor overfilled, and should
provide good aeration.
Sweetpotato does not require specialized transportation, and many options exist for moving
roots from the field to market e.g. by head; bicycles, oxen. Some physical damage is likely to
occur with all these transportation methods, but in order to ensure quality care must be taken.

5.2 Post-harvest storage

A major challenge to sweetpotato production is post-harvest handling. The crop is bulky and
once harvested has a short shelf life. The various storage techniques are presented below:

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5.3 Fresh storage

Many farmers do not routinely store fresh sweetpotato roots, but leave them in the ground
until required, where they are prone to attack by insect pests, disease and vertebrate pests
such as rodents. It is possible to store fresh roots successfully in specially constructed pits or
in mounds, or clamp stores. Losses can be kept to a minimum and roots can remain in a
relatively fresh state for three five months.

Pit storage of sweetpotato

5.3.1

Clamp storage of sweetpotato

Why store roots?

Storing fresh sweetpotato roots in specially designed structures enables the farmer to benefit
in a number of ways:
roots can be harvested as soon as they mature so that the land can be made
available for other crops;
storing good quality roots enables the family to eat fresh sweetpotato for a longer
period after harvest than would normally be the case;
the stored fresh roots can be sold for a high price in the off-season;
increased household food security;
the incidence of pest attack can be significantly reduced by harvesting the roots
before the build up of pests during the dry season ; and
good quality stored roots act as an emergency source of income during the dry
season when fresh roots are no longer available in the field.

5.3.2

Problems of sweetpotato storage

Sweetpotato roots are tender and decline rapidly in quality after harvest because:
they can lose water and weight during storage, which adversely affects their texture
and taste;
diseases can cause losses in storage, for example, rotting and off-flavours;
pest attacks, especially from sweetpotato weevils, can cause serious damage;
Sweetpotato roots are low value and bulky so storage structures for fresh roots have to be
relatively large and therefore may not be economical.

5.3.3

Good storage techniques

There are three things that must be done to ensure successful storage of fresh sweetpotato
roots:
carefully select only top quality roots without any signs of handling or pest or disease
damage for storage
keep them in specially designed stores
check the stores at regular intervals

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5.3.4

Root selection

Careful and strict selection of roots intended for storage is very important. Only completely
undamaged roots should be put into store, as damaged roots are more susceptible to
disease. Roots should always be handled carefully to avoid damage and stored as soon as
possible after harvesting. Those that show signs of physical damage, weevil infestation or
disease should not be stored.

5.3.5

Storage structures for fresh sweetpotato roots

Two types of sweetpotato store, the pit and the clamp, are recommended. They have been
shown to work equally well in field trials. Farmers should choose the structure that best suits
their individual situation e.g. construction materials and local construction expertise that are
available locally.

5.3.6

Pit storage

Pit stores are holes dug in the ground. The size and shape of the hole is not critical; the
quality of the roots selected for storage is more important. Pits should be dug in dry ground
away from areas prone to flooding. The pits are then lined with very dry grass for two
reasons. Firstly, it helps to protect the roots from damage while in the store by acting as a
cushion. Secondly, it absorbs a certain amount of moisture, stopping the pit from becoming
too damp and thus preventing the roots from rotting. Sweetpotato roots are placed carefully
into the pit, which is then sealed with more dry grass and then soil up to normal ground level.
This prevents the roots from drying out and stops weevils entering the store. Finally, the pit is
covered with a sloping thatched roof to keep it cool by shading it from the sun, and to prevent
rain getting into the pit, which could cause rotting. A gap is left between the base of the roof
and the ground to allow for ventilation. Locally available materials are recommended to keep
costs down.

5.3.7

Clamp storage

Clamp stores are structures made on a raised flat mound of earth above ground level. The
size and shape of the clamps are not critical; they depend on the quantity of roots to be stored
and local practice. The base of the clamp is covered in dry grass for cushioning and to absorb
excess moisture. Sweetpotato roots are carefully piled on top and then covered with more dry
grass and soil to seal the clamp. As with pit storage, this prevents the roots from drying out
and the weevils from entering. The mound is then covered with a separate thatched roof to
protect it from the sun and rain, allowing a gap all the way round between the roof and the
mound for ventilation.

Loading sweetpotato roots carefully into the pit store

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Shading the pit store with a roof

Constructing the mound for the clamp store

Loading roots carefully into the clamp store

Sealing the clamp store with dry grass

and dry soil

Shading the clamp store with a roof

5.3.8

Routine maintenance of pit and clamp stores

It is possible to keep roots in good condition for periods as long as five months during the dry
season. In order to achieve this, it is very important to inspect the stores regularly (every 1 2
weeks) and check for the following potential problems:

Root rotting
Rodent damage
Insect damage

Root rotting

Rodent damage

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Cylas weevil damage

If you find any of these problems clear the whole store and discard the affected roots. It is not
advisable to re-store unaffected roots from the same store as they might harbour diseases,
but use them quickly to avoid further losses. If the roots are still in good condition reseal the
pit or clamp and re-shade it. It is also important to check the soundness of the roof structure
and make any repairs at the same time.

5.3.9

Subsequent seasons

Pits and clamps can be re-used the following season. Discard all remains of the old grass and
soil covering. Sterilize pits as a precaution especially if you have had any rotting or insect
problems by lighting a fire in them prior to use. Use new dry grass and fresh soil for lining and
covering. If you have encountered problems with mould and rotting try the alternative type of
store. Also try building the store in a drier position in the next season or altering the
depth/height/size that you build it. Likewise, with insect and rodent pest problems try some
alternatives, for example, covering the store with a thicker layer of soil. Some varieties of
sweetpotato store better than others. You may also find that some varieties of sweetpotato
keep better in one type of store than the other.

5.4 Dry storage

Sweetpotato is mainly consumed as fresh boiled roots. In some parts of East Africa,
sweetpotato is traditionally processed into dried chips and flour to preserve the roots for
household food security and to a lesser extent for sale in rural markets. Besides permitting
better preservation, the drying and processing of sweetpotato into dried chips and flour offers
other advantages such as:
facilitating transport and increased shelf life
creating new opportunities for the farmer such as new markets and new sources of
income.

5.4.1

Steps in processing quality dried chips and flour

The steps followed to obtain quality-dried chips and flour are as follows:
Select only healthy roots for drying
Clean, peel and trim the roots
Wash the roots in clean water. For large scale production a drum washer consisting
of a 200 litre oil drum mounted on a horizontal axle is recommended. The drum can
be cut lengthwise to provide a door that can be opened and closed during loading
and washing of sweetpotato roots, respectively. A handle is fixed on the axle and is
rotated during washing. At the end of the drum is an opening for emptying dirty water.
The drum can wash 40 kg of sweetpotato roots in 10 minutes using about 30 litres of
water.
After washing, pre-dry the roots in the sun for about 10 minutes, then cut the roots
into slices about 5mm thick using a clean sharp knife. For large-scale production a
manually operated slicer may be used for this stage.
Soak the slices in clean water for 90 minutes. The recommended volume of water to
be used is twice the weight of slices which is enough to cover all the slices in order to
avoid oxidation. In many areas of East Africa the slices are soaked in either salted
water or in tamarind extract to help protect them against storage pest damage.
Salting can also be done after soaking by applying 20-30g of salt per kg of freshly
sliced sweetpotato chips.
After soaking, the slices are either sun dried on a raised tray or in conventional dryers
using firewood or charcoal as fuel sources, depending on suitability of weather
conditions.
The dried sweetpotato chips are then ready to be milled or ground into flour if that is
required.
Sweetpotato flour can be packaged and stored in polythene bags.

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Sun drying of orange fleshed sweetpotato

chips on a raised tray for improved quality

5.4.2

Traditional sun drying of sweetpotato chips

on ground plastered with cow dung

Storage technologies

Traditional methods of on-farm storage that have evolved over long periods of time are
generally suited to agro-climatic regions and social needs. However there may be a need or
opportunity to improve existing storage practices. Features of the most common types of
storage structures are discussed below.

Baskets
Closely woven baskets, or baskets with mudded walls are commonly used for storing dried
sweetpotato products. Mudded walls provide protection from rain, strengthen the structure
and prevent uptake of moisture by dry products. Traditional basket stores are built in a wide
variety of different shapes and sizes. Baskets often have tight fitting lids and some may have
additional loading or unloading hatches, which helps to facilitate stock turn-around and
monitoring of the product at the base of the basket. Basket stores can be kept inside the
house or outside in the open. They should be raised off the ground, placed on stones or brick
foundations or on a wooden platform to prevent uptake of ground moisture. If they are kept
outside they should have a thatched roof or be kept under a shelter to provide protection
against rain and shade from the sun.
Mud plastering and sealing woven baskets helps to reduce insect entry, damage by livestock
and human theft. Baskets kept inside houses are more secure. Baskets that are well made
may have a life of up to 15 years. Maintenance will include: mending holes or splits in the
basket weaving, repairing cracks in plastered walls and repairing or replacing thatched roofs.
A mudded basket kept outside will need replastering annually. A cement plaster may last for
several seasons. Before loading baskets should be cleaned thoroughly.

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Solid wall bins

Solid wall bins may be round, cylindrical or rectangular in shape. The bins may be made of
clay (sometimes strengthened by mixing with straw or twigs) or from clay blocks or burnt
bricks. Bins are usually raised off the ground or isolated from it by means of wooden poles,
clay pedestals or large stones. Packed earth should not be used as the base because it may
permit termites and rodents to enter the store. Improved solid wall bins made of stones or
bricks and mortar may have a concrete pedestal or foundation. A plastic sheet or tar paper
may be used in the base to prevent uptake of moisture.
Some bins have internal dividing walls to make several compartments. This gives some
flexibility in the different quantities or products that can be stored. However care must be
taken to prevent freshly harvested clean products being placed next to older infested products
as cross infestation can easily occur as insects and rodents move from one food source to
another. Separate openings for filling and emptying are often included at the top and bottom
of the storage structure. Covers for these openings can be secured with padlocks.
The life of solid wall bins will depend on construction and local climatic conditions. With good
routine maintenance and careful use a bin may last for more than 20 years. Solid wall bins
are strong and their contents are not displayed to prospective thieves.
The quality of the product stored in solid bin walls may be affected by climate, risk of insect
pest infestation and the quality of the design and construction. All bins using mud in their
construction are susceptible to termite attack. The area around the bin must be kept clean
and the bin should be thoroughly swept clean at the end of each storage season. Smoke from
a small grass fire lit inside the empty bin will kill insects. Cracks in plaster should be repaired
quickly.

Metal storage bins

In some areas of Africa, metal storage bins or water tanks made from smooth or corrugated
galvanised metal sheets are used for storing dried products. They are usually cylindrical in
shape with flat tops and bottoms. There is normally a hatch at the top for loading and a spout
at the side of the base for emptying. Metal bins can provide maximum protection and security
when padlocks are fitted to the filling hatch. Metal bins should be placed on platforms or legs

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to allow air to circulate around the base to prevent corrosion from ground moisture. They
should be placed under a roof to provide shade and to help reduce moisture migration and
heating of the product inside. The cost of bins varies with the size, construction and transport
charges. Although bins can be constructed with different capacities the cost per tonne of
small units may be prohibitive. Sweetpotato products are not commonly stored in metal bins,
but the adoption of metal storage bins may be something more affluent farmers might be
interested in trying. Adoption of metal storage bins is more likely in those areas where metal
containers are already used for holding water and they can be made locally by sheet metal
workers.
For storage in metal bins the product must be drier than that stored in traditional bins or bags,
this makes the metal bin storage system more suited to areas where the crop is harvested in
a distinct dry season followed by storage through a rainy season where good protection is
desirable.
With routine maintenance (including cleaning out residues at the beginning of each season,
protecting the structure against corrosion and ensuring that the roof shelter is kept in good
repair) and careful use, metal grain bins can remain serviceable for more than 20 years.
A well made and well sealed metal bin will provide good protection against insects, mould,
rodents and birds. The gas-tightness of metal bins makes them suitable for the use of
fumigants against insect pests. Baskets and mud walled structures are not suitable for
fumigation as the gas escapes through the structure before all the insect stages are killed.
Fumigation should only be carried out by specially trained individuals and should never be
done inside a house where people and/or livestock are living.

Bag storage
Bag storage is a convenient way of keeping dried sweetpotato products. Bags are usually
made from jute or woven polypropylene, but hemp, sisal, grass and polythene sacks are also
available. Durability of bags will depend on their quality and how they are handled. Jute sacks
are more expensive but last longer than woven polypropylene ones. With careful use and
repair bags should last for several seasons. Bags provide the flexibility to store different
products and quantities. The storage capacity is limited only by the number of bags available
and the size of the storeroom.
It is important that bags are never placed directly on the floor. They should be stored on small
storage platforms made from wooden poles. This will allow air to flow under the stacks and
will stop the bags getting wet from uptake of moisture from the ground. If no wood is available
the bags should be stacked on a plastic sheet. The area around the stack should be kept
clear of household items that might provide hiding places for insect and rodents. The stack
should be well constructed to prevent collapse and kept away from the walls of the store if
possible. In the house the stack should also be kept away from the kitchen and fireplace.
Bag storage is a convenient way of handling and storing dried products. The product can be
easily removed for consumption, inspection or sun-drying, and is immediately available for
sale. However bags can also be easily carried away by thieves, but if stored in a house or
shed with locked doors and barred windows, they should be fairly secure.

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Successful bag storage depends on adoption of good storage management practice rather
than construction and operation of a special storage structure. Bags provide little protection
against insects, rodents and moisture. Bags should be brushed clean and dipped in boiling
water to kill any insects present at the start of each season. Bags must also be stored
carefully between use to prevent rodents gnawing holes in them. Damage by moisture can be
prevented by keeping bags off the floor and by maintaining a sound roof over the stored bags.

5.5 Storage pest and disease management

5.5.1

Prevention

To prevent losses from pests and disease good storage practices must be followed, this
means:
making sure that the product is in good condition for storage
keeping the store in good condition
practising good storage hygiene
Making sure that the product is in good condition for storage
Good quality dried sweetpotato products are less likely to suffer insect attack than poor
quality products. Before storage carefully inspect the product for insects and any signs of
disease. If some of the product is infested, make sure this infested portion is used first and do
not store it in contact with the good quality product as it will lead to cross infestation. If insects
are present, winnow the product to remove them and then sweep the insects up and burn
them. Winnowing will only remove the adult insects, and although some of the developing
eggs and larvae may be killed during sun-drying others may still be developing inside the
product. Remove any straw, dirt, weed seed, stones or other foreign matter from the product
as these materials will hold water and a damp product will become mouldy.
Keeping the store in good condition
A good store should keep the product cool and dry. It should also protect it from rodents,
birds, farm animals and thieves. Most stores (except some solid wall stores that can be
sealed) do not prevent insects entering.
The store should be built in a well-drained location, away from branches of trees otherwise
rats may jump from the branches onto the store. The store should be kept under a roof that
keeps the rainwater out and provides shade. The store should be raised off the ground to
prevent water soaking into it and to prevent rodents and farm animals reaching the stored
product. If wooden posts are used to raise the storage structure, they may need to be
protected against termite attack, used car-oil is often applied for this purpose or the central
parts of mopane trunks (or other tree species) which are resistant to termite attack can be
used.
Rat guards should be fixed to the legs of the store to stop rats from climbing into the store.
Rat guards will only work if the store is raised at least 1 m off the ground and there are no
plants or poles close to the store up which the rats and mice can climb. The store should be
built at least 1m away from buildings and trees. Cats and dogs help to frighten rats away. If
the product is stored in a storeroom or house, traps can be used to help catch rats. Rodents
usually move around the base of the walls of a room so traps should be placed on the floor by
the walls or in the corners. Rodents can transmit many human diseases and should not be
handled with bare hands if possible, dead rodents should be buried in pits to reduce the risk
of disease transmission. As rodents are mammals (like humans), poisons that are sold to kill
them are also highly toxic to humans. It is therefore very dangerous to use rodent poisons
near food and in areas where children and livestock might interfere with them. Rodent
poisons should only be used by people who are specially trained in rodent control.

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Examples of home made rat guards

Practising good storage hygiene
The storage site and the area around it must be kept clean and free of breeding sites for
pests. Rats and mice will breed in rubbish heaps. Insects will breed in old stocks of
sweetpotato, cassava and grains. All residues from previous harvests should be removed
from and around the store and burnt. If the product is to be stored in containers, these must
also be cleaned, sacks should be turned inside out and brushed to remove crop residues, the
sacks can then be dipped in boiling water to kill any insects present and then dried in the sun.
Any holes should be repaired. If the storage structure has mud walls these should be replastered each season to destroy any insects or disease spores remaining from the previous
seasons in the cracks. Insects that hide in the timbers, basketwork or thatch of stores are
difficult to kill and can lead to rapid infestation of the new crop. Empty stores can be treated
with pesticides to reduce insect infestations. However the Larger Grain Borer (LGB)
Prostephanus truncatus (see section 5.5.4) can bore deep into timber, and if the store has
been infested by LGB in the previous season, the risk of damage to the new crop may be
reduced by changing any wood that shows signs of LGB damage. The discarded wood
should be burnt quickly, and not kept as firewood otherwise LGB may come out of the timber
and infest the newly stored product and other structures.

5.5.2

Monitoring

To make sure that the crop and the store remain in good condition throughout the season the
store and the stored product must be inspected regularly for signs of damage by birds, mice,
rats, and insects. Signs of insect damage can include: small feeding holes in the product;
large amounts of dust in the product, sacks or storage structure; presence of insects; and
distinctive smells. If signs of pest attack are spotted early, action can be taken before the
damage becomes too severe.

5.5.3

Management of storage insect pests in dried sweetpotato

To date surveys have found that in East Africa the main insect pests of dried sweetpotato
products are similar to those of dried cassava products. These dried products suffer damage
from a wide range of stored product insect pests, the adult stage of many of them are shown
in the diagrams below. Stored product pests tend to be small, usually less than 1 cm in
length. As with field insect pests, the adult stages often bore holes and lay the eggs and then
the developing larvae feed inside the dried product producing feeding tunnels in the product,
which can reduce both the quality and quantity of the product. Pupation usually occurs within
the product and the adult insects then emerge, mate and lay the next generation of eggs
within the product. During feeding the insects often cause a lot of dust to be produced, along
with the appearance of holes in the product the dust acts as a sign that insects are infesting
the stored product and action should be taken.
Many of the traditional processing practices used for dry storage of sweetpotato products can
help reduce insect damage during storage, several of the practices which can be integrated
with each other are discussed:

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