Temperature & moisture are the main factors which speed up most chemical reactions (increase with increasing temperature) particularly if some quantity of moisture is there. The food grains which contain moisture of other biological materials keep better under refrigeration (low temperature) than at high temperatures. Thus rain & its products at moisture levels unsafe for storage in summer may be stored as temperatures prevailing in winters.
Moisture is by far the most important factor to bring about deterioration of grains in storage. If the grain moisture content is maintained at low level, say 9-10 % clean grain can be stored for may years.
In summary it is recommended that:
1. Store only that grain which is clean devoid of dirt-dust foreign matter, broken grains and with not more that 11% of moisture.
2. Store only in weather – tight hermatic steel bins as designed by Indian Grain Storage Institute, Hapur and other bins which do not allow entry of moisture, insects, rodents, etc.
3. Clean up an dispose all waste grain, feed and stray seeds/grains that have accumulated around the storage bins.
4. Fumigate the bin as soon as the grain is poured in and thereafter 4-5 weeks later this treatment may be repeated.
5. Inspect the grain frequently but at least one a month by taking samples. Refunigate, if an insect infestation is discovered.
6. At all times the moisture content of the grain should continue to remain low enough do that not to allow any fungal/bacterial growth.
7. Good housekeeping, is an effective sanitation programme and this is the simplest and best technology to prevent storage losses.
LARGE SCALE STORAGE
Insect control in warehouse may vary somewhat, depending on whether the grain is stored or in bags and according to the type of storage structure. The basic principles are the same in all cases. Best results are obtained by rigidly following the application of preventive measures.
These measures are not only applicable for farm storage but also for big warehouses line FCI, CWC & other agencies. For them also same recommendations that thorough cleaning of all warehouses, plus a residual spray, plus fumigation cleaning immediately after the grain is put in a storage.
At this point it ma not be out of place to mention that biological factors like insects, mites, fungi& bacteria which work in unison & not separately are responsible for tremendous storage losses which can be prevented by taking care of three ecological factors, viz. moisture content of grains; availability of oxygen in the structure (fro metabolic activity of grain, insect and micro organisms); and the development of temperature gradient resulting in moisture migration within the grain bulk.
NEW APPROACHES IN STORED GRAIN INSECT CONTROL
1. The improvements which can be thought pf for large scale storage in Indian can be the use of externally modified/controlled atmosphere storage which requires alteration of normal percentage of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This atmosphere is insecticidal and prevents mould growth and quality deterioration of stored grain.
2. Secondly, liquid Nitrogen/Carbon-dioxide can be used to create modified atmosphere which keep the grain insect free, moulds cannot grow and grin retains its luster and quality.
3. Third, Improved methods of application of grain protectant systems which have to be adopted when we become an exporting country an entirely new concept has been developed to deal with global insect resistance problem. In this method insecticides are applied in combination thus optimizing dosage rates and control all species in a likely pest complex. This method will not allow accelerated development of resistance to insecticides as has happened with Malathion.
4. A new flow through Phosphine fumigation technology- An important new development recently introduced by the Common Wealth Stored Grain Research Laboratory in Australia (Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, Canberra, Australia) is the use of Phosphine in gas form Phosphine is supplied in gas cylinders mixed with carbon dioxide acting as a carrier. The potential for this technology lies in its applicability to storage that are even less than airtight. A good technology for India (but costly for the present).
5. Biological Control: Use of insect growth regulators (synthetic juvenile hormones), found effective against Bruchids (pulse beetles), sitophilus & R. Dominica.
6. French scientists claim that they have perfected a technology as vacuum storage in small butyl rubber silos prepared at storage site allowing no entry of insects and the silos can be heaped one over the other. No roofing is required. Grain remains good for 5-6 years and doesn’t require any case and maintenance, no fumigation, no spray, etc. Good for countries keeping buffer stocks like India. The grain is dried and then fumigated prior to filling in ‘silos’. In vacuum no life can exist (but costly for the present).
7. It would be pertinent to reemphasize the point regarding the storage structures that the buildings for bigger storage and bins, etc., for the same storage should be made according to the structural requirements with no compromise on the quality of material and designs which have been described in Chapter-V of this report. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) have also laid down structural designs. Some modifications for rat proofing in godown buildings mentioned in Chapter-V must be incorporated to deal with the rodent menace besides carrying out chemical controls with Zinc Phosphide and Anti-coagulants present in vogue.
8. The most important technology/input to implement the recommendations suggestions is the requirement of technical personnel from the lowest to the highest level of technically trained hierarchy. Only such persons who know the implications of grain storage need to be given charge of storage. We need an army of them to take charge of rural storage- 70% of grain with active participation of the farmers in this Himalayan task requiring Herculean efforts. It is through these people that our dream of zero storage loss can be realized.
It may not be out of place to mention that all the technologies which are mentioned are being followed in the organized sectors which store large quantities of grains but improved and advanced technologies would only be followed when:-
i) Grains are stored only for a longer period of time jus t like in exporting countries of the world viz, U.S.A., CANADA, ARGENTINA & AUSTRALIA.
ii) Mechanization, silo storage, use of inert gases, use of improved techniques of fumigation will all come up as soon as we become exporting country.
iii) The present problem of rural storage has to be dealt with all seriousness & sincerity with technologies suggested above.
ACTION PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDED TECHNOLOGICAL OPTIONS AND EXPECTED IMPACT OF RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is high time that both the Centre and state governments should think about the severity of the problem of storage losses as it is estimated that the country might be losing every year Rs. 5000 crores to 7000 crores worth of food grains due to defective storage. As a beginning the farm level storage practices. One strategy could also be that the FCI can keep the stocks with the farmers instead of purchasing the grain from them. As per the present categorization in vogue that if a farmer stores the grain without infestation then he should be given some incentive apart from normal government price. This would encourage the farmers to store the grains properly and ultimately it would lead to zero loss level and the pressure on storage space with FCI can also be reduced. As a beginning FCI can initiate this programme in a few selected villages on a pilot scale and the same can be enlarged if it is successful.
1. The first & foremost recommendation is that the Government should assume responsibility for minimizing the Grain Storage Loss at Various stages of handling & storage. An adequate organization needs to be set up at the center & in the states to take coordinated action in this direction.
2. We should go in for systems approach rather than piece meal. We have to improve upon the existing post harvest system to cut post harvest losses at farm level where about 70% grains are stored and consumed as food, feed & seed. The losses start taking place during harvesting, sy when the crop is becoming a harvest.
3. Establishment of National Grid of rural godowns as per ecological zones is a must. This will go a long way in reduction of losses in storage. For individual small farmers metal bins under this project need to be supplied because a good storage structure us the first line of defence in protecting & preserving the food grain in sound condition. Rats will not be able to damage the grain at all. And at the very outset it may be possible to save at lease 2.5% of grain. ‘
OR
Establishment of national grain board on the lines of Canadian Wheat Board / Australian Wheat Board where all the grains produced in the country belong to the Government which handles & stores scientifically.
4. ‘Save Grain Campaign’ programme needs to be strengthened, extended and storage technology should not only be taken to the door steps of the farmer but ensured that it is adopted by him. All media of mass contact should be used to spread the message of “Save the Grain” far & wide followed by Campaign team’s visit to the farmer’s house.
5. Wherever possible solar energy for drying the grain need be harnessed.
6. Sufficient emphasis be laid on grain handing & grain storage in the institutes, where agricultural engineering is taught. In villages from primary school through high school & intermediate level the subject of grain storage should be taught. The subject should also be included in the job card of extension workers. This should be a nation wide educational program.
7. arrangement for training in grain storage for the framers on war footing under the “Save Grain Campaign” should be made all over the country- in the villages at farmer’s house where 70-80% grain is stored. Back
