The challenges of grain storage: A review

Postharvest losses account for about 10 per cent of the total food grains due to unscientific storage, insects, rodents, microorganisms etc. After reviewing academic and technical literature it was found that traditional approaches are also significantly important for grain storage in India. According to this study, farmers in India are also adopting modern technologies like hermetic storage and automated metal bins. The on-farm storage of grain like cover and plinth storage (CAP) technology was also considerably improved since its inception as compared to heap storage of grain. After studying the surveys of agricultural extension, it was found that metal bin is maximum used due to its low cost, easy fabrication and use. For Animal feed storage like hay, old traditional method of heap storage in open or in godowns is preferred by farmers in India. These methodologies are basically based on traditional or local consideration. In terms of advancement, environmental variables like temperature, breakage of grain, moisture etc are monitored in godowns and research for preliminary design and fabrication of bins and silos requires consideration of these environmental variables. Drying of harvested grains to safe moisture levels will reduce losses to a greater extent.