Postharvest practices and problems in Indonesia are reviewed. Stored product pests cause considerable
loss and damage each year. In milled rice stored for 6 months, for example, it is estimated that the loss
due to insect infestation is between O.S and 2%. The major storage pests of milled rice are Sitophi!us
spp. and Tribolium caslaneum, with Corcyra cepha/onica, Ephestia kuehniella. Rhyzopertha dominica.
and some other secondary pests causing lesser damage. The application of pesticides is generally
considered as the best method of protecting grain from insect infestation. Pirimiphos-methyl in
emulsifiable concentrate formulation is the most extensively used pesticide for spraying, while
phosphine and methyl bromide are in common use for fumigating storages and ships. Pesticide
application is part of an Integrated Storage Pest Management (ISPM) program initiated in the early
1970s and now considered to be working well. The program has five components: improvement and
provision of storages; proper insecticide application: physical control strategies; training of pest control
and storage managers; and collaborative research and development work in the area of storage pest
management. Current work includes studies directed towards corn batting insects such as psocids
(Liposcelis spp.) and controlling pests of secondary crops.