PICS: Hermetic Bags for Safe Storage of grain

Low cost storage technologies for grain

Hermetic bags are air-tight which prevents oxygen and moisture from getting to the grain stored within them. A multi-layer technology is used to modify the environment and restrict gas exchange with the outside atmosphere. Under this system, farmers can store grains for up to two years while retaining their palatability and cooking quality. This ensures that farmers have enough to eat in between harvests and can sell their beans when the price is more favorable. Grain quality is conserved through the regulation of moisture inside the bag and inhibits fungal growth that lead to build-up of carcinogenic mycotoxins. The cooking time of grains preserved in hermetically sealed bags remains the same as freshly dried ones whereas loss of moisture in traditional storage techniques may double the amount of time and energy that is needed for preparing grains as food. A germination test is recommended for the beans stored in hermitic bags if they are intended to be used as planting material.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

9•9

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 9/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Adults, especially farmers, are the primary users of PICS bags and experience significant positive impacts. Reduced post-harvest losses lead to higher income, food security, and reduced dependency on chemical pesticides, promoting better health. This directly improves their livelihoods and economic stability, making the impact highly positive.

The poor: Positive high

The poor experience a high positive impact as PICS bags provide an affordable way to prevent grain losses. This improves food security and helps them save money on pesticides, offering an economic lifeline. As post-harvest losses can be devastating for low-income families, this technology helps maximize their limited resources, justifying the high positive rating.

Under 18: Positive low

The impact on children under 18 is indirect but positive. While they don’t directly use the technology, they benefit from improved food security at home. As families experience fewer post-harvest losses, the risk of hunger decreases, and the household may have more resources for children's needs.

Women: Positive medium

Women benefit moderately from PICS bags, particularly in households where they handle food storage. The technology reduces their workload related to pest control and provides a safe, chemical-free storage option, improving health. However, the extent of the impact depends on their involvement in agriculture and food storage activities, making it moderate rather than high.

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

PICS bags work well across various climates, protecting grains from spoilage and pests in extreme weather.

Farmer climate change readiness: Moderate improvement

They help farmers preserve grain despite climate variability, reducing losses but not directly addressing climate disasters.

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Reduced pesticide use benefits local ecosystems, though the overall effect on biodiversity is small.

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Lower emissions than traditional fumigation methods, but overall reduction in carbon is minor.

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

Reduces chemical use, improving soil, water, and overall environmental health.

Problem

Significant post-harvest losses: Farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa face losses exceeding 25% due to improper storage techniques. Traditional storage methods, like regular bags and silos, fail to prevent pest infestations and spoilage, leading to substantial grain loss.
Pest infestations: Pests like weevils, moths, and mites damage stored beans, forcing farmers to sell their crops immediately after harvest at low prices to avoid further losses.
Fungal contamination: Traditional storage methods often allow for the development of fungi such as aflatoxin, which contaminates beans, posing health risks and lowering the quality of stored grain.
Reduced food security: Without effective storage, farmers struggle to keep enough beans for consumption between harvests. This problem threatens both food security and livelihoods.

Solution

Airtight sealing: The multi-layer, air-tight design blocks the entry of air and moisture, depriving pests like weevils and mites of oxygen, thus preventing infestations without the need for chemicals.
Moisture control: Hermetic bags maintain stable moisture levels, preventing the growth of fungi such as aflatoxin, which would otherwise contaminate the beans.
Long-term preservation: The bags preserve the quality of stored beans for up to two years, maintaining their taste, color, and cooking time as if they were freshly dried.
High durability: Made with multiple layers, including high-density polyethylene and a polypropylene outer layer, hermetic bags are strong, water-repellent, and reusable, allowing for reliable grain storage and handling.
Versatility in extreme climates: These bags perform well in hot and humid environments, where traditional storage methods fail, protecting grains from rapid spoilage under such conditions.
Chemical-free storage: The hermetic design ensures that grains are stored without the use of harmful chemicals, offering a safe and natural method for grain preservation.
Low-cost, scalable solution: Hermetic bags are affordable, with costs ranging from $2 to $3, and are reusable, making them accessible for both small-scale farmers and large-scale commercial operators.

Key points to design your project

PICS technology offers a transformative, eco-friendly solution for grain storage that is user-friendly and reduces reliance on pesticides. It aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing hunger and enhancing the health of users.

To effectively integrate PICS bags into your project, follow these steps:

Cost Analysis: The technology costs between $1 and $1.5 per unit, with bags capable of holding 50kg or 100kg. Estimate the number of bags required based on your project's scale and needs.
Supply Chain Considerations: Identify reliable suppliers and factor in delivery costs to your project site. Also, account for any import clearance and duties that may apply.
Training and Support: Arrange for a team of trainers to provide initial training and ongoing support during project implementation. Include budget provisions for training sessions and post-training assistance.
Communication Strategy: Develop communication materials (e.g., flyers, videos, radio broadcasts) to promote the technology and its benefits to users.
Grain Preparation: To maximize the effectiveness of hermetic storage, ensure that grains are adequately dried before being placed in the bags. Consider incorporating grain moisture measurement devices, such as Grain Moisture Meters, or implement effective drying methods prior to storage.

By addressing these key points, your project can successfully implement PICS technology to enhance food security and reduce post-harvest losses.

Cost: $$$ 2—3 USD

Bag cost for users

ROI: $$$ 90 %

Reduction of loss

50 or 100 Kg

Bag capacity

2 year

Life span

IP

Trademark

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Burkina Faso	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Burundi	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Cameroon	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Central African Republic	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Gabon	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Ghana	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Malawi	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Mozambique	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Rwanda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Senegal	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
South Sudan	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Zambia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 3: good health and well-being

By reducing the need for chemical pesticides, PICS bags lower exposure to harmful substances, promoting better health and well-being.

Goal 2: zero hunger

PICS bags prevent post-harvest losses, improving food availability and security for smallholder farmers, directly supporting efforts to end hunger.

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

The bags support sustainable grain storage practices, reducing waste and enabling long-term food preservation, contributing to responsible resource management.

Goal 13: climate action

PICS bags indirectly support climate resilience by helping farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and reducing food loss, though their direct impact on climate mitigation is limited.

Goal 15: life on land

Reduced use of pesticides promotes healthier ecosystems, indirectly supporting biodiversity and environmental health by preserving the quality of soil and land.

Purchase Genuine PICS Bags: Buy hermetic bags from recognized vendors. Ensure they are not counterfeit.
Prepare the Beans: Harvest and thresh the beans. Dry the beans to a moisture level of about 12-14% to reduce the risk of infestation and maintain seed viability.
Inspect the Bags: Separate the two inner polyethylene bags and the outer woven polypropylene bag. Check the inner liners for holes or tears. Do not use damaged bags.
Fill the Inner Bags: Pour a small amount of dried beans into the first inner bag. This helps insert the inner bag into the second liner more easily. Fill the first inner bag while gently shaking to eliminate air pockets, leaving a lip at the top for sealing.
Seal the Inner Bags: Twist the lip of the first inner bag to remove excess air, fold it over, and tie it securely. Tuck the knot inside the first bag and repeat this process for the second inner bag.
Place in the Outer Bag: Insert both sealed inner bags into the outer woven polypropylene bag. Tie the outer bag securely to protect the inner bags.
Store the Bags: Place the sealed PICS bags in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight or extreme heat. Store them on elevated platforms to minimize rodent attacks. Ensure the bags remain sealed during storage. If any grain needs to be removed, press out excess air before resealing.
Regular Inspection: Inspect the PICS bags at least once a month to check for any signs of damage or pest activity.
Reuse the Bags: PICS bags can be reused for multiple seasons (typically up to three), provided they remain intact.