Abstract

Estimation of postharvest losses of rice (Oriza sativa) from harvesting to milling was carried out in Ejisu Juabeng District of Ghana to provide basic information important regarding the losses. Harvesting losses were higher (2.93%) in sickle-harvesting than in panicle harvesting method (1.39%). Threshing losses were also higher (6.14%) in the ‘bambam’ in the bag beating method (2.45%). Harvesting losses ranged between 4.07 and 12.05% at farmer’s fields. Storage and drying losses were 7.02 and 1.66% respectively. SB30 milling machine was more efficient and produced 67.3% head grains compared to SB10 (50%) and the locally manufactured machine (47.3%).

Key words: Rice, postharvest losses, milling, grain quality.