Grains are stored to reduce the opportunities for loss, damage or infestation by pests. On the farm grain storage can be short-term (>3 months) before it is moved to the supply chain, long term (3-12 months) while farmers store it for home consumption, to sell when prices are more favourable or for planting in the next season. During this phase of post-harvest processing, grains can be stored in bags, silos or other bulk storage containers. Bag storage utilises permeable sacks that will allow air movement in and out of the bag. Structures can be built to store grains and solid-wall bins or silos should be used in areas where grains can be dried properly. Other options include airtight underground pits, steel bins, while concrete silos and warehouses can also be used as storage options. While storing grains to ensure favourable storage, facilities should be kept clean, covered, and never exposed to the elements. However, pest control measures need to be established, such as adhering to acceptable grain moisture content levels at storage to deter insect infestation, as pests (rodents, insects, etc.) can devastate grains in storage. Physical storage options are built to meet the demand and supply of grains season-to-season and to make seeds available for the next planting season.
To effectively implement Physical Storage Options:
- Step 1: When making a choice of which storage option to choose, farmers must consider the type of crop to be stored, storage requirements of the crop and the form in which the crop must be stored (for 0-6months/3-12months).
- Step 2: Grains must be stored in a dry place with a constant temperature.
- Step 3: Crops should be dried and have low moisture content prior to storage.
- Step 4: Airtight containers should be used to avoid insect infestation.
- Step 5: Based on farmer resources and time of storage, there are a number of containers that can be utilised to store harvested crops including metal silos, polythene sacks (that can be layered), mud silos, plastic bags.
- Step 6: As a last measure, insecticides in the form of a powder can be applied to harvested crops. The powder comes in pre-measured packets and are low dosage so generally safe to handle. Information is provided on each packet and should be read before integrating it into the crop. Grain needs to be cleaned before consumption.
- Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 1994. Agricultural engineering in development. Rome, Italy.
- Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 2011. Rural structures in the tropics: design and development – Chapter 16, Grain crop drying, handling and storage. Rome, Italy.
Benefits
- Storage options can support food security and assist farmers respond to supply and demand, leveraging favourable market prices and conditions.
- Suitable for short- and long-term storage.
Drawbacks
- Uncontrolled grain moisture may lead to insect infestation and loss in grain.
- Insect fumigation may contaminate grains.
