10–15% of food grain was lost within single season due to the insects-pest attack during storage and also reduced the food grain quality by spreading the unwanted odors and flavors.
Quantitative as well as qualitative losses occur during storage due to physiological changes, insects, rodents, and micro-organisms. Storage conditions, environmental factors, gas composition, management practices etc., affect the shelf life and quality of horticultural produce to great extent.
Grain storage is greatly influenced by the climatic condition of the region/country. Storage structures are playing key role to prevents the losses and keep the grain safe during storage by minimizing the effect of rodents, microorganism and environmental factors to feed the growing population of the world.
Humidity is the principal climatic element which affects the storage system. Biological activities occur only when moisture is present. High moisture content leads to storage problems because it encourages fungal and insect problems, respiration and germination.
Therefore, moisture content of the product itself, as well as the moisture content of the surrounding air, are important for safe storage.
Pallets made by either wood laths or poles used for storing the food grain bags in form of stacks. Proper arrangement of stacks is important for adequate air circulation throughout the stacks for maintaining the moisture content and temperature of the food grains and for preventing the stored food grains from water, pallets has been covered with plastic sheets.
Storage of grain
