Grain Storage
Grain Storage
Grain Storage Scenario In India
- According to World Bank Report(1999), post harvest losses in India amount to 12 to 16 million metric tons of food grains each year, an amount that the world bank stipulates could feed one third of India’s poor.
- Monetary value of the losses amount to approximately Rs 58,000 Crores per year(Approx. 40% of the total produce).
- While 17% of Indians sleep hungry every night,40% of the food we produce is wasted or left to rot.
- A population slated to touch 1.7 billion by 2050, we are running out of food to feed so many.
Primary Reasons Behind The Contamination of Grains
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- Natural contamination of the food grains is influenced by the following factors:-
Type of storage structure
1.Temperature
2.pH
3.Moisture
4.Grain treatment
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- Quantitative or Qualitative Losses due to:-
1.Insects
2.Rodents
3.Microorganisms
Using Ozone as a pesticideOzone does not require any cumbersome imports or regular supplies as it is generated on site at the place of treatment. Problems associated with storing, handling and disposing are nil when using ozone. Ozone leaves no residue in the grain, being harmless to the consumer or specific food production since it does not modify organoleptic and nutritional value of the produce. Additional benefits go beyond insect management; ozone also helps in mold and mycotoxin reduction, odor control and also helps killing the insects’ larvae.