POST-HARVEST TECHNOLOGY OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT (Lecture 02)

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Storage methods
The choice depends on-
1. Type of grain
2. Duration of storage
3. Value of grain
4. Climate
5. Transport system
6. Cost and availability of labor
7. Cost and availability of bags
8. Incidents of rodents and types of insects
Traditional storage systems

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Modern storage systems
1) Bagged storage:
• Conventional godown (Local, central depots)
• Procured form farmers during harvesting season
• Short term storage
• Disadvantage: during humid season moisture uptake; during hot
dry season relocation of moisture
Modern storage systems
2) Silo storage:
• In bins with provision for mechanical loading and unloading of the
grains
• Made of aluminium, concrete, steel
• Can be stored upto years with controlled aeration and
temperature

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3) Airtight storage
• Airtight silo
• Oxygen level reduced and organisms attacked suppressed
upto 21%
4) Aerated storage
• Air is moved through grain to maintain uniform moisture and
temperature
• Limit activity of fungi on damper area
Advantage and disadvantages of bag and bulk storage
Bag Bulk
Flexibility of storage Inflexible
Partly mechanical mechanical
Slow handling Rapid
Considerable spillage Little
Low capital cost High
High operating cost Low
High rodent loss potential Low

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Methods of preventing storage damage
1. Moisture and temperature control : below 14% and 20 oC
2. Antimicrobial agents: Fungicide (propionic acid, propionates)
3. Fumigation: Ethylene bromide
4. Rodent control: animal, poisons, trap, proper sanitation
5. Oxygen free storage: replacing oxygen with gas, inert gas
6. Chill storage: below 10 oC but drawbacks with maintaing and
condensation
7. Aeration: blowing air at 0.03- 0.5 volumes of air per volume of
grain per min. Eliminates hotspot, minimise insect infestation.