Post-Harvest Insect Pests and Their Management Practices for Major Food and Export Crops in East Africa: An Ethiopian Case Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In Ethiopia’s main staple and export crops a significant number of storage pests have been found, and the losses caused by these pests were identified and reported. The effectiveness of post-harvest management options now available for Ethiopia’s staple and export crop pests was reviewed. However, based on the information that is currently available, it is challenging to rank the various storage pest management techniques. Cultural practices, the use of various locally accessible botanicals, varietal tolerance, various storage structures, and several significant entomopathogenic fungi are among the most frequently utilized management techniques. Although the majority of the research findings covered in this study are basic knowledge rather than ready-made technologies, current technologies can still be used with a few minor alterations. To regulate mold growth and lower the risk of grain storage pests, traditional subterranean pits can be slightly modified to avoid dampness. A further key factor in preventing field infestation and lowering insect loads in storage environments is the direct use of insect resistant varieties. Several botanical remedies have also been found to be successful, allowing farmers to use them with ease. Finally, it is critical to highlight the integrated pest management system’s sustainability and effectiveness of approaches for long-term storage of seeds and grains in a variety of situations. ABSTRACT: Ethiopian subsistence farmers traditionally store their grain harvests, leaving them open to storage pests and fungi that can cause contamination of major staple crops. Applying the most effective strategy requires a precise understanding of the insect species, infestation rates, storage losses, and storage conditions in the various types of farmers’ grain stores. This study did a complete literature analysis on post-harvest pest and management measures with a focus on Ethiopia. The most frequent insect pests of stored cereals in this study were weevils (Sitophilus spp.), the lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica), rust-red flour beetle (Tribolium sp.), sawtoothed grain beetle (Oryzaephilus sp.), grain beetle (Cryptolestes spp.), Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella), and Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella). Flour beetles (Tribolium spp.), sawtoothed beetles (Oryzaephilus sp.), flat grain beetles (Cryptolestes pusillus), and some moths have been identified as common stored product pests of stored oil seed, while bruchid beetles (Callosobruchus chinensis) and the moths were reported for pulses. Additionally, the storage pests in Ethiopia under varied conditions caused storage losses of 9–64.5%, 13–95%, 36.9–51.9%, and 2–94.7% in maize, sorghum, chickpeas, and sesame, respectively. To reduce the losses incurred, preventative measures can be taken before infestations or as soon as infestations are discovered. A variety of pest population monitoring systems for harvested products and retailers have been developed and recommended. In this context, reducing post-harvest grain losses is an urgent concern for improving food accessibility and availability for many smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and ensuring the nation’s long-term food security.