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Production and marketing of cereal grains are some of the main activities in developing countries to ensure food security. However, the food gap is complicated further by high postharvest loss of grains during storage. This study aimed to compare low‐cost modified‐atmosphere hermetic storage structures with traditional practice to minimize quantitative and qualitative losses of grains during storage. The study was conducted in two phases: in the first phase, seven hermetic storage structures with or without smoke infusion were compared, and one selected structure was further validated at scaled‐up capacity in the second phase.
Production and marketing of cereal grains is one of main activities in low income countries farming system. However, yields are very low due to several factors associated with traditional practices. Despite low productivity, the postharvest loss (PHL) of grains mainly during storage is high due to storage pests. The study was conducted to assess storage related losses of grains (maize and sorghum) and compare aboveground and underground storage methods to minimize losses associated with traditional storage structures. In first phase of the study, base line data were collected using focus group discussion, key informants interview and semi-structured questioners. In the second phase, underground and aboveground storage methods were investigated along with their control for better stability of stored maize and sorghum. The survey result showed that, storage related losses (due to different factors) of maize and sorghum were 14.2 and 11.5% respectively. The major identified causes of losses were storage pests and losses due to seepage. In the second phase, from studied storage structures, grains stored in pit storage with PVC layer showed superior stability and quality in terms of prevention of pest attacks and proximate composition, respectively. The study demonstrated that, underground storage method supported with PVC lining was efficient in terms of enhancing storage stability of grains with required quality for consumption or marketing.
