EXPECTED IMPACT OF RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations made are with the idea that the grain storage4 losses suffered because of physical, biological and engineering factors are arrested by using the recommended technologies.
It will be observed that these technologies if properly used, will not allow the insects, moisture, rain, fungi & bacteria to damage the grain in storage. Needless to say that reduction of post harvest losses is a very complex undertaking. Decidedly this should tackle all stages of post harvest system where grain is likely to be damaged.
The best outcome of this project would be that the man (farmer) who is the main culprit, who does not change the attitude towards grains storage may start heeding the advice of the experts in grain storage and come out of his lethargy and indifference. We are sure that this change would happen because we are not making a radical and costly change but it is to improve traditional storage methods.
The first impact by seeing that grain which was being eaten away by insects, rodents, fungi, mites, bacteria etc. is no more meeting that fate and he is getting extra money by selling insect free and wholesome grain at a higher price. Introduction of self-reliant grain storage technology shall overcome a food grain deficit situation and stimulate progress towards self-reliance. This will also make a valuable contribution to grain processing industries by providing insect free wholesome grain. It is very interesting to know that in most of the food-deficit countries actual shortages are to the tune of 4 to 6% of the requirements, while the losses have been estimated at 10 to 20% of production. Even if we cut down 50% of the grain losses, we will save 5 to 10% of the grains. This will trigger off a chain reaction amongst the farmers who will start adopting the simple storage technology at farm level. There economic condition will start improving.
Thus by adopting improved grain storage technology more than food would be saved. The nation’s moral would boost and in the community of nations our status would enhance by becoming regular exporting/self-sufficient nation with regard to food grains. And we will not spend our foreign exchange on import of food grains. Also we will be able to maintain a bigger quantity of food grains as bufferstocks of food grains which will help in maintaining the food grain prices in the open market. Above all, the failure of monsoon can be taken care of without disturbing the price line of the food grains.
