Vol. 10, Special Issue 5 (2021)

Author(s):
Suneetha Runjala, V Nagarjuna, G Sandeep Naik, V Yugandhar and Srividya Rani N

Abstract:
Small and marginal Farmers are getting less income from cereal and pulse crops due to less storage facilities to store grains till the remunerative price attain in market. Storage of grains from field crops is major problem still today in India, due to lack of awareness on storage systems and facilities. Insect pests have been a serious problem threatens the livelihood of small-scale farmers and most commonly found insect was T. Castaneum, R. Dominica and C. Cephalonica. Hermetic storage bags are best solution to this farming group to store their grains at depleted oxygen levels and enhanced carbon dioxide levels to prevent growth of insects in grains. In this study storage the grains in Hermetic storage bags and Mesta storage bags for 6 months at 30⁰ to 35 ⁰C and 60 to 70% humidity in the YSR district of Andhra Pradesh. Hermetic storage has proven especially effective in hot, humid climates to combat frequent, devastating post harvest losses and prevent the growth of insect pests. Grains stored in hermetic bags showed the better results i.e., germination percentage > 90%, grain weight loss is < 5% and visual damage was nil observed during 6 months of grain storage. Whereas grains stored in Mesta bags reveled unstable results that is germination percent was decreased from 90% to 64%, loss of grain weight is 54% and insect pest damage is 60% was noticed. Hence these hermetic storage bags are more effective and less expensive in grain storage for small and marginal farmers.