Post-harvest management is the process to reduce losses after harvesting. The following guidelines should be followed starting from harvesting time.
Harvest when 80-85% grains turn straw colored. (grains in the upper part of panicle ripened and grains in the lower part in hard dough stage/ 30 days after emergence of half of panicles from the leaf sheath)
If harvesting is done manually, dry the paddy bundles on a dry place. (Release water to dry the soil at harvesting / place and dry panicles on the top of rice stumps)
Properly handle to minimize losses while transporting paddy bundles.
Place paddy bundles systematically to prevent overheat and not to enter water. (Panicles and bundles must be dried/ Place bundles on higher place/ Make cover over bundles to easily fall off rainwater.)
Thresh until there are no grains on the panicle.
Threshing ground must be hard and free of dusts if threshing is done by cattle and hand machine.
If threshing machine is used, the speed of threshing drum must be 600 rpm (revolutions per minute). (Grains will be damaged if too fast, and grains will remain on panicle if too slow)
The speed of blowing fan must be 800-850 rpm. The space between inner tips of drum (peg-teeth) and concave should be adjusted at 1 inch (25 mm) for better efficiency of threshing.
The length of the panicle should be around 1.5 feet in order to prevent the straw getting jammed in the thresher.
Sun drying should be done until they are completely dry.
Spread paddy grains evenly on the concrete or tarpaulin sheets about 1.5-2 inches thickness (2-3 fingers).
Stir the grains every 30 minutes.
Make shade when the temperature is too high (maximum 40•C). Adjust air temperature not to exceed 40•C if dryer is used.
Cover the grains with tarpaulins sheet at night.
Prepare to prevent losses due to unexpected rain.
Grains can be assumed dry, if it cracks with a sharp sound while test bitten by front teeth.
Winnow properly not to mix filled grains with unfilled grains. Adjust the speed of the blowing fan if threshing is done with thresher.