Do you know millions of tons of grain every year are wasted and lost simply due to lack of proper storage? With the ever-rising population, the demand for food grains also keeps increasing. To meet this high demand, a vast quality of crops is grown worldwide. However, these grains need proper storage facilities before they reach the final consumer. Grain storage isn’t as simple as you may think. Many factors need to be considered to maintain the quality of crops such as temperature, humidity, aeration, pests, and more. If these factors are not taken care of, the quality and shelf life of grains can be reduced.
Importance of Grain Storage
With the increasing demand for grains and higher crop yields, more granaries and warehouses have been set up for food storage. These storehouses have ventilation and proper facilities to safely keep tons of grains. Storage is an important part of the food supply as it keeps grains safe from pests and weather elements. Grains that are stored for long-term use are immensely useful during uncertain conditions like drought, famine, or war. However, often due to a lack of proper storage facilities, these precious grains are wasted which not only causes economic loss but also creates food shortages. This is a serious concern for farmers, distributors, as well as consumers.
Before marketing the harvested produce, the grains need to be protected from harsh weather elements, insects, bacteria, and other biotic components. Farmers store their harvest in specialized storage warehouses where grains are dried and properly stored to prevent spoilage. This method is effective in keeping grains safe but using commercial facilities for crop storage isn’t the most profitable solution for farmers. This traditional method compels farmers to sell their harvest immediately. Moreover, they have to pay transportation costs and charges for grain drying. So, to overcome these issues, many farm owners are not opting for on-farm storage solutions.
On-Farm Grain Storage: Meaning & Benefits
As the name suggests, on-farm storage means storing harvests on the farm. It eliminates the need to transport grains to another location where the warehouse is located. Specialized grain bins are installed on the farm for storing harvest produce. These grain bins give farmers complete control and freedom to market grains when it’s profitable. It improves marketing opportunities and provides financial gains. Installing concept grain bins on the farm enables drying and storing surplus produce until prices are high in the market. There’s no need to rush sales during harvest season when high supply brings down the prices. Storing crops in grain bins is the best solution to avoid transportation costs and stabilize income. It also provides peace of mind knowing that harvest is safe and well-preserved while you wait for prices to rise.
Using an on-farm storage solution is the best option to offset the high cost of freight during harvest. The harvest season reduces grain prices but increases freight charges due to high demand. This results in reducing the profit margin of farmers. But when grains are stored on the farm, freight charges are eliminated.
