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

Positive or neutral impact

Adults 18 and over: Positive high
The poor: Positive high
Under 18: Positive medium
Women: Positive high

Positive or neutral impact

Climate adaptability: It adapts really well
Adaptability for farmers: It helps a lot
Biodiversity: It helps them grow and thrive
Carbon footprint: It doesn't reduce emissions at all
Environment: It makes a little difference
Soil quality: It doesn't harm the soil's health and fertility
Water usage: It uses a little less water

Problem

Food insecurity and poor livelihoods for small-scale farmers
High post-harvest grain losses due to inadequate storage techniques and pest infestations
Sale of grains at low prices after the harvest

Solution

Prevents air and moisture from entering the grain
Kills insects and microbial organisms by stopping renewal of oxygen that is consumed by pests and by the grain and accumulating carbon dioxide
Preserves grain quality and allows storage for up to two years
No need to use fumigants and insecticides for conservation
Culturally accepted and adopted by farmers in Africa South of the Sahara

Key points to design your project

This technology serves as a transformative solution. It is easy to use and beneficial for the users and it offers an eco-friendly alternative to using pesticides. In addition, it supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by tackling hunger and improving the health of users.

To integrate this technology into your project, and create a list of project activities and prerequisites and plan these activities:

- Considering the technology cost of 1 to 1.5 USD per unit with a capacity of 50kg or 100kg per bag, estimate the quantity of products needed for your project.

- Consider also the place of supply and include the delivery cost to the project site and account for import clearance and duties if relevant.

A team of trainers could provide training and support during project installation. Include the cost for training and post-training support for using the technology.

Communication support for the technology should be developed (flyers, videos, radio broadcasts, etc.)

To enhance the efficiency of hermetic bags, it is advisable to ensure that the grains to be stored are adequately dry. Therefore, utilizing the bags could be paired with a grain moisture measurement device, such as a Grain Moisture Meter or with proper drying and storage.

Cost: $$$ 2—3 USD

Bag cost for suppliers

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 where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Benin	Tested	–Not adopted
Burkina Faso	Tested	Adopted
Burundi	Tested	–Not adopted
Cameroon	Tested	–Not adopted
Central African Republic	Tested	–Not adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	Tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Tested	–Not adopted
Gabon	Tested	Adopted
Ghana	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	Tested	–Not adopted
Malawi	Tested	–Not adopted
Mozambique	Tested	–Not adopted
Rwanda	Tested	–Not adopted
Senegal	Tested	Adopted
South Sudan	Tested	–Not adopted
Tanzania	Tested	–Not adopted
Uganda	Tested	–Not adopted
Zambia	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

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 2: zero hunger

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Melt polypropylene granules to create a pliable material.
Form the pliable material into strings.
Initiate the winding process to form a bobine (a spool or cylinder-like structure).
Utilize a knitting machine to weave the bobine into bags.

Polyethylene Inner Liner Production: