ABSTRACT
Many ancient civilizations had extensive systems of storage for agricultural products. Freeze-drying potatoes in the Andes, bending down the stalks or ears of maize, fermenting crops in various ways, storing grain over cooking fires, and using hermetically sealed containers for grain storage are but a few examples of the postharvest practices of traditional farmers. Much of the world's rice is grown in warm, humid areas, and so, unless rice is dried to a low enough moisture content, it can be damaged by fungi and insects in storage. In a world where millions suffer from hunger and starvation, it is shocking to contemplate the enormous losses that occur after crops are harvested. Cassava is perhaps one of the most perishable tropical crops, as a physiological deterioration discolors the roots a few days after harvest, making them unacceptable for consumption.
