1. Rice Storage Systems Joe Rickman and Martin Gummert,
Agricultural Engineering,
International Rice Research Institute, Philippines

2. Outline of today Discussion on storage Fill hermetic storage system
Evaluate a seed store
Determine density of different products
Make small seed store
Take grain samples and analysis for insects
Discuss pest management in storage
Set up some seed germination tests
Seal grain ready for fumigation

3. (Total world cereal and pulse production 2,075 million tons)
Rice production
World – 589 million tons
Asia million tons
Bag storage million tons
(Total world cereal and pulse production 2,075 million tons)

4. Present situation
Between 25-50% of the total grain value (quantity+quality)is lost between harvest and consumption in developing countries

5. Quantity Losses in Cambodia (88 on farm studies)
Post-harvest stage
Mean
(%)
Range
Cutting
3.0
2.2 – 3.8
Transportation
3.6
2.0 – 5.2
Threshing
1.6
1.0 – 2.2
Drying
2.0
1.0 – 2.0
Storage
10.7
3.5 – 18.0
Milling
14.7
7.5 – 22.0
TOTAL
35.6

6. Reasons for post harvest losses
Poor product coming into storage
Poor storage management
Poor quality paddy + poor milling techniques

7. What is required of a good storage system
Prevention of moisture re-entering the grain after drying
Protection from insects, rodents and birds
Ease of loading and unloading.
Efficient use of space
Ease of maintenance and management.

8. Present on farm storage situation in Asia

9. Traditional Bag Storage (Indonesia)

10. Granary (Laos)

11. Woven Basket ( Cambodia)

12. Clay Pots (Bangladesh)

13. Concrete Bin (Bhutan)

14. Steel Bins (Bhutan)

15. Bag storage (Philippines)

16. Equilibrium Moisture Content (Philippines)
12.5 13
13.5 14
14.5 15
15.5 16
16.5 17
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Months
Equilibrium Moisture Content (%)

17. Summarizing existing on farm storage situation
Grain is stored in open systems in bags or open granaries
Grain is exposed to insect,rodent and bird attacks
High equilibrium moisture content >14.0
Grain is not always protected from rain

18. Farmers Present Practices
Sell excess immediately after harvest (indebted or poor storage)
Dry grain to 10-11% before storage
Take grain out and re-dry during storage period
Store seed in “sealed” containers

19. Present commercial storage situation in Asia

20. Commercial bag storage system
Open to atmosphere
moisture uptake,
pest problems
Store in batches
Clear headways and walkways
Relatively easy to fumigate

21. Commercial Bulk Storage
Not popular in Asia
Efficient use of space
Easy to control pests?- sealed for fumigation
Less problems with rodents and birds

22. Commercial hermetic system
Grain stored in bags
Protected against moisture uptake and insects
Rat and pig damage?
Use as harvest management aid
Need O2 monitoring
Big potential in Tropical areas
5-300 metric tons

23. Sealed Systems tested by IRRI

24. Parameters evaluated In store atmosphere (02) Grain moisture content
Seed germination
Insects
Grain quality
Farmer uptake

25. Storage atmosphere (0xygen level)2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 40 60 80
100
Claypot
200 l
drum
25 l
O2 (%)
Days

26. Storage atmosphere after opening6 12 18 24 30 60 90
120
150
180
210
240
270
Storage time (days)
Oxygen concentration (%)

27. Storage atmosphere Plastic pouches (3kg)5 10 15 20 25 30 40 50 60 70 80
Days
Oxygen Content (%)
Normal plastic
Vacuum pouch

28. Moisture levels in stored grain9 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 30 40 50
Storage period (weeks)
% Moisture content
control
Hermetic
cooled

29. Live Insect Counts (Insects/ kg)
Months
Open Storage
(bags)
Hermetic (5 ton)
Hermetic (small)
Cold room
Air conditioner
3.2
8.8
7.4
8.4 3
234
1.4
1.6 6
114
0.4
3.0 9
54.4
1.2
3.4 12
27.2
2.2
9.0
8.4

30. Germination: certified seed

31. On farm Storage Bangladesh (7 months)20 40 60 80
100
Farmer 1 2 3 4 5
Traditional
Hermetic
Germination (%)

32. Head Rice Yields (whole kernel)20 25 30 35 40 45 3 6 9 12
Months of storage
Head rice yield (%)
Hermetic
Open Storage

33. Grain Whiteness Index 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 Open Hermetic A/C
Cold Room
Storage treatment
Whiteness index
Start
3 months
6 months
15 months
18 months

34. Summary of results Hermetic storage:
Works for 3kg “plastic bags” – 50ton Cubes
Reduces insects activity (1/kg)
Constant grain moisture content
Increases the life of seed from 6 months to 12 months
Maintains milling quality,
Protects grain from birds and rodents?
NEXT STEP

35. Adoption by farmers Problem
Farmers will not share a larger storage system
Farmers will not invest in large storage systems
Needs to fit into existing system

36. Solution- Turn 50kg bag into a hermetic system

37. Characteristics needed of a storage bag
Capacity 0.08 cubic meter (50kg)
Low O2 permeability
Low water vapor permeability
High puncture strength
High tensile strength
Cost $ US 1/bag

38. “Plastic” Liner bag Fits into existing system
Reusable if not punctured
Easily sealed
Use for all grain crops
Reasonable cost

39. Storage at IRRI Seed Air conditioned room Grain
Hermetic storage (longer than 1 month)
Open pallets (less than 1 month)
50kg woven plastic bags

40. Storage Hygiene Keep storage areas clean.
Clean storage rooms after they are emptied
Placing rat-traps and barriers in drying and storage areas. Cats deter and help control rats and mice
Inspect storage room regularly to keep it vermin proof.
Inspect the stored seeds once a week for signs of insect infestation.

41. The End

42. PPTW - Storage activities
Determine density of paddy, husk, milled rice, bran
Evaluate seed storage systems at IRRI
Load and sealing 5 t hermetic storage system
(2 groups)
Make small seed storage system (1 per group)
Sample seed store and set up germination test
Sample stored grain and identify insects
Seal grain storage system ready for fumigation

43. Evaluating a seed store
Evaluating Storage Facilities
Evaluating a seed store
Store 1
Store 2
Store 3
Grain Protection
Moisture content
Insects
Rodents
Birds
In store Hygiene
Storage above floor (pallets)
Clearways (0.5m)
Batch storing
Clean
Management strategies
Store cleaning after season
Bags cleaned, dipped
Fumigation options