Key Factors Affecting Safe Grain Storage
The food we eat provides our bodies with all the nutrients they need to grow, develop, and repair themselves in case of an injury. Plants and animals provide us with our food, which we obtain through agriculture and animal husbandry.
Overview of Grain Storage
Food supplies are in greater demand than ever, and this has increased crop yields, resulting in warehouse storage of food grains. Food security, however, is affected both by the availability of food and the access to it, making this measure insufficient to resolve problems like hunger and malnutrition. In the field, there are many insect pests, weeds, and diseases that can be encountered. Those pests and diseases can severely harm yields if they are left unchecked.
There can be a great deal of storage loss. Fungi, mites, bacteria, insects, rodents, and other biotic components contribute to losses. Temperature and storage techniques, among others, can cause storage losses owing to abiotic factors. Here are some examples:
Food quality has deteriorated.
Badly germinated seeds.
The weight of crops has decreased.
The crops are discolored.
These factors directly affect the marketing of the harvested produce, thereby leaving them unused and disfavoured, causing a great loss for the farmers all the way up until the distributors.
The warehouses can be monitored continuously and treated appropriately to control factors. To ensure grain storage is protected from all factors that may lead to its destruction, controls need to be put in place. To ensure grains are properly cleaned before storage, strict cleaning procedures should be followed. Additionally, grains should be checked to ensure that they have been dried in the sun and then in the shade completely. Fumigation is also necessary to try to prevent pests.
The Importance of Food Storage
Below are a few points that highlight why food needs to be stored:
Food storage is cost-effective compared to the consequences that can arise from not doing so.
In order to supply food to the ever-growing population of India, FCI purchases grains and stores them in warehouses.
Ensures food remains fresh for a longer period of time. A variety of methods can be used to store different types of food. Food items such as meat, for example, should be stored in the refrigerator as their high moisture content means that they decay quickly.
Proper storage ensures that produce is evenly distributed throughout the year.
It is helpful in emergency situations such as famines.
Factors that Affect Grain Storage
During the storage of food grains, about ten percent of them get damaged or destroyed. There is a great deal of wasted food throughout the country, even if it seems less. Below we describe some of the factors that influence food storage. They are divided into biotic and abiotic factors.
Biotic Factors
The term biotic component refers to living organisms that cause crop destruction. Common organisms that destroy grains include pests, weeds, insects, and rodents. Foodgrains are damaged by around 100 different insect species. Insects like rice moths, beetles, rice flour beetles, Indian meal moths, etc., commonly attack grains like wheat, barley, rice, millet, pulses, nuts, maize, and dry fruits.
A fungus that affects the quality of food is a major grain destroyer. In addition, some fungi and molds, such as Penicillium and Aspergillus, not only destroy crops but also turn them poisonous by releasing toxins that cannot be consumed by animals. These toxins cannot be removed by any purification process. Excretory and different wastes of these insects, if remain on the surface of the grain is considered to be very harmful.
Abiotic Compounds
In addition to living organisms, there are also abiotic substances that affect grains. The crops are affected by factors such as air quality, humidity, and temperature. These factors may have a severe impact on grain storage if the quantity and quality are unbalanced.
Grain Storage and Temperature
Food loss during storage is greatly affected by warehouse and granary temperatures. High temperatures can cause the grains to sweat, fungus, and mold to form, making it poisonous.
Maintaining temperature with aeration is possible. This natural airflow lowers the temperature in the storage space and prevents sweating. To protect stored food grains, it is important to maintain the temperature. In order to ensure that grains are stored in good condition and quantity, they must be cooled before storage.
The Role of Moisture in Grain Storage
Several factors influence the safety of stored grains, including moisture. Conditions like warmth and moisture are conducive to the growth of various biotic components such as molds, fungi, pests, insects, etc. Water damages grains by discoloring them and reducing their quality. In order to ensure grains are stored at the right moisture level, they should be inspected regularly. In addition to electronic moisture meters, there are now also a variety of electronic measuring devices available.
Damages During the Storage
If the grains are not stored properly, or not taken care of, it will lead to various damages which will affect the progress of the farmer as well as the country. These damages can be direct or indirect.
Direct Damages: These are the damages caused by pests, insects, etc. They eat the grains from inside and make them hollow, thus reducing the weight of the grains, discoloration of grains, and foul smell. All of these are direct damages.
Indirect Damage: This includes the damage that is inflicted by consuming infected grains. Such consumption can cause food poisoning and various worm infections in humans.
FAQs on Storage of Grains: Methods, Importance & Safety
1. What is meant by the storage of grains?
The storage of grains refers to the crucial post-harvest process of keeping harvested food grains, such as wheat, rice, and maize, safe from damage and spoilage for future use. The primary goal is to maintain their quality, nutritional value, and viability for consumption or as seeds for the next sowing season.
2. Why is the proper storage of grains so important after harvesting?
Proper grain storage is vital for several reasons:
It prevents spoilage caused by pests, microorganisms, and moisture, thus minimising post-harvest losses.
It ensures a consistent supply of food throughout the year, contributing to food security.
It helps maintain the nutritional quality and germination capacity of the grains.
It allows farmers to store their produce and sell it when market prices are more favourable.
3. What are the two primary methods used for the large-scale storage of grains?
For large-scale or commercial storage, two main methods are employed:
Granaries: These are large, well-ventilated buildings where grains, packed in gunny bags, are stacked in an organised manner, with pathways for inspection and fumigation.
Silos: These are tall, cylindrical structures, typically made of metal or concrete, designed for bulk storage. They offer superior protection against pests and weather and often have automated systems for loading and unloading grains.
4. What are the key biotic and abiotic factors that can damage stored grains?
Stored grains are vulnerable to two types of factors:
Biotic Factors (Living): These include insects (like weevils), rodents (rats), birds, mites, and microorganisms like fungi and bacteria, which consume or spoil the grains.
Abiotic Factors (Non-Living): These include environmental conditions such as high moisture content in the grains, unsuitable temperatures, and high humidity in the storage area, which encourage pest and mould growth.
5. What preliminary steps must be taken before storing grains to ensure their long-term safety?
Before storage, it is essential to prepare the grains properly. The most critical step is drying the harvested grains, usually under the sun, to reduce their moisture content to below 14%. This inhibits the growth of microorganisms and insects. Additionally, the grains should be cleaned to remove chaff, stones, and other debris.
6. How does moisture content directly impact the quality and safety of stored grains?
Moisture is the most critical factor in grain storage. High moisture levels (above 14%) create an ideal environment for the growth of fungi and mould, which leads to grain discolouration, loss of germination power, and the production of harmful mycotoxins. It also encourages insect infestation, leading to rapid deterioration and making the grains unfit for consumption.
7. What are the differences between storing grains in traditional granaries versus modern silos?
While both are used for large-scale storage, granaries and silos differ significantly. Granaries involve storing grains in gunny bags, which requires more manual labour and offers less protection from rodents and temperature changes. In contrast, silos store grains in bulk within sealed, vertical structures, providing better control over temperature and moisture, superior protection from pests, and allowing for automated handling.
8. Can using chemicals like fumigants for grain storage be harmful to human health?
Chemical fumigants are effective in eliminating pests in stored grains but must be handled with extreme care. Their use is a double-edged sword. If applied in the correct dosage and the storage area is properly aerated afterwards, they are safe. However, improper use can leave harmful chemical residues on the grains, posing a significant health risk to consumers. Therefore, traditional methods like using dried neem leaves are often preferred for domestic storage.
9. How did farmers traditionally store grains to protect them from pests at home?
Traditionally, farmers used several effective, low-cost methods for domestic storage. After thoroughly sun-drying the grains, they would store them in metallic bins, earthen pots, or jute bags. A common practice was to mix dried neem leaves with the grains. Neem has natural insect-repellent and antifungal properties that help protect the grains without the use of synthetic chemicals.
