Hermetic Storage Technology can save the world

People holding grains in hand

Food security is a key challenge on a planet with a population of over 7 billion people. According to the United Nations, the world’s population will reach 9 billion people by 2050. As a result, there will be more people to feed and fewer available resources. Food security is a worldwide problem that impacts everyone on the planet. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 815 million people are chronically malnourished, and nearly a billion have micronutrient deficiencies. India currently has the world’s highest population of malnourished people, at roughly 195 million. In India, about 47 million children, or 4 out of 10 youngsters, do not reach their full individual development due to chronic malnutrition or stunting.

Food security refers to the availability of food that satisfies people’s dietary demands and food choices in order to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Food security is a wide concept that can be defined in a variety of ways. It is determined by the number of people who have adequate food to live a healthy and active lifestyle. “Having physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs for a healthy and active lifestyle at all times,” according to the United Nations. It is a measurement of our ability to generate enough food for everyone on the planet. Food security is critical because it ensures that people have access to food and can afford to purchase it. It also ensures that enough food is available for the populace and that it is safe to eat. 

The three main components of food security are availability, access, and stability.

Availability:

There is a supply of food to different regions or nations since food consumers outweigh producers in every country. The storage, processing, transportation, packaging, and marketing of food are all part of the food distribution process. The food-chain infrastructure and farm storage technology also impacts the amount of food wasted in the distribution process Poor transportation infrastructure can raise the cost of delivering water and fertilizer, as well as the cost of transporting food to national and international markets. Few people or households around the world are food self-sufficient all of the time. 

Access:

Individual and household preferences, as well as food affordability and distribution, are all factors that influence food access. The UN Committee of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights state that the inability to acquire available food often causes hunger and malnutrition, which is usually due to poverty. Poverty can limit access to food and make a person or family more vulnerable to price fluctuations.  whether or not the household has adequate income to purchase food at current prices or enough land and other resources to cultivate its own food determines the food Acess. Households with sufficient resources can survive weather conditions and local food shortages while maintaining access to food.

Stability:

Food stability is the ability to receive food over time. Food insecurity can be periodic, seasonal, or long-term. In transitory food insecurity, food may be unavailable for a short period of time.. Natural catastrophes and drought cause crop failure and reduced food availability at the level of food production. The regular pattern of growing seasons in food production might result in seasonal food shortages.

Hermetic Storage and Food Insecurity in India.

Post-harvest losses waste more than one-third of the food produced in India, contributing to food poverty. Pest infestations and inadequate storage facilities are the primary causes of these losses. Meeting food demand in a country with an ever-increasing population becomes incredibly difficult under such circumstances. Aside from the lack of food, farmers lose a lot of money when their entire crop goes to waste. Reduced post-harvest losses in India is a long-term option for enhancing the food supply. It will also contribute to the conservation of natural resources, the eradication of hunger, and the improvement of farmer livelihoods. While traditional post-harvest procedures have proven ineffectual, hermetic storage technology is gaining popularity due to its potential to prevent post-harvest losses.

How Hermetic Storage can improve food security in India.

The environment is a big worry when keeping grains in India, and Hermetic Bags can help with that. They produce a controlled atmosphere with low humidity and a comfortable temperature. An air-tight technology protects the grains inside these bags, therefore the weather outside does not affect them. Hermetic bags create airtight, self-regulating, and regulated environments due to which the moisture level is still ideal. As a result, when there is a lack of moisture, the grains do not become hard. They’re also free of bug infestations and mold growth caused by excess moisture. 

The hermetic bags can be used to store a variety of dry items, such as grains, cereals, lentils, pulses, and other seeds. Flour, herbs, and spices like turmeric and chilli powder can also be preserved in hermetic bags. Furthermore, in recent years, preserving coffee, cocoa beans, and tea in them has become increasingly popular. These bags can also store nuts such as cashews and peanuts. These bags are available in a variety of sizes and can be used for both commercial and home purposes.

Hermetic bags use hermetic technology to produce a controlled environment that prevents air from passing through. As a result, the temperature remains altered, and there are no bug infestations owing to a lack of oxygen.

Save Grain Bags provides hermetic storage bags that protect grain from spoiling. Between the grains and the outside environment, they serve as a moisture and air barrier. As a result, humidity, external climatic conditions, and pest infestation have no effect on your goods while it is stored in them. They are also recyclable, reusable, affordable, simple to use, and capable of storing large volumes of food grain. As a result, it’s ideal for post-harvest storage in India.

How hermetic bags can get rid of rice weevils in grain storage

Rice weevils

Every year farmers face tremendous post-harvest losses that result in the loss of grain and livelihood of the agricultural industry. One of the leading causes of post-harvest losses is pest infestation. Farmers sell the contaminated grain at lower prices as the damaged grains lack nutrition as well as taste. Rice Weevils are the most notorious insects that cause damage to the grains.

Rice weevils can wreak havoc on a variety of crops when they’re being stored. Pesticides are currently used to kill rice weevils, however, these approaches damage the grains in the process. Hermetically sealed bags, on the other hand, have been demonstrated to be particularly successful in eliminating these insects and decreasing post-harvest losses. Hermetic bags are efficient because they keep oxygen out, depriving insects of their metabolic energy and water supply. Therefore rice weevils cannot survive in the hermetic bags.

The Journal of Stored Products Research demonstrates how hermetic storage has helped reduce post-harvest losses in various countries in Africa. The pest infestation in hermetic storage was minimal when compared to other traditional storage methods. Aerial storage, drying floors, or storage in cans, bins, or jars, as well as plastic or jute bags, are all traditional storage options. Traditional methods do not protect against damage due to rain and humidity. Hermetic bags, on the other hand, rely on airtight technology. As a result, they keep moisture out and regulate the temperature.

Pest infestation is frequent in traditional storage systems. Pest infestation does not occur in hermetic bags, on the other hand. The air-tight technology causes an oxygen deficiency. Pests are unable to survive as a result. The grains are fully dry and free of moisture.

Silo storage systems, which have been widely utilized in the agriculture business for decades, are popular for their bulk storage capacities among the different types of grain storage systems. However, there are numerous disadvantages of this type of storage. Controlling the temperature and moisture of silos is critical for preventing grain contamination, but this can be difficult. Poorly controlled temperature and moisture can worsen insect infestation, mold, and grain sprouting.

Farmers use a variety of pesticides to protect grain from pests and insects during storage. These insecticides, on the other hand, are frequently harmful to both humans and animals. Hermetic Bags provide a toxic-free alternative. The respiration of grains, insects, and molds in the storage will raise CO2 levels because the hermetic bags are airtight. We can inhibit fungal and insect growth in such settings without the use of insecticides. Because we are all too aware of the dangers of pesticides, Hermetic Bags are an excellent option. They keep grain quality while being non-toxic.

The long-term solution to eliminating post-harvest losses due to pest infestation is Hermetic Bags. Save Grain Bag offers hermetic storage bags to protect agricultural produce from climate changes and contamination by pests, hence preserving the grain in its optimal form.  Save Grain Bags come in various sizes up to 50kg bags that can be used to store and preserve grain for both domestic as well as commercial purposes. 

Hermetic Bags are the best way to deal with rice weevils and other insect infestations. Save Grain Bags’ hermetic bags are an excellent alternative to traditional ways. The advantages of hermetic bags outweigh the traditional grain storage methods. They are also an efficient alternative for decreasing grain storage losses in India for the same reason.

How to end grain loss when storing wheat?

Wheat is one of the most widely grown grains in India. With a production of 107,860 thousand tons of wheat, India is responsible for 14% of the global wheat supply. India is the leading wheat exporter to countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Malaysia. Once the wheat is exported, it is stored all over the world. One of the most important issues that wheat storage facilities experience is harvest loss due to insect damage. It occurs when the insects breed and increase over time.

Red Flour Beetle, termites, and brown mites are the most notorious pests that damage wheat during storage. As a result, insect infestations result in:

  1. Lower grain weight
  2. Reduced nutritional and economic value
  3. Low rate of seed germination
  4. Quantity loss of grains
  5. Quality deterioration of grains

Humans cannot consume the infested grains as they become inedible. 

Pakistan, Africa, and Malaysia are some of the countries with the highest post-harvest grain losses. 

To combat grain losses, various researches and studies are being carried out. They conclude hermetic bags are effective in controlling grain loss.

Map highlighting the countries with highest post harvest grain loss

Lack of oxygen can reduce the population of Red Flour Beetles:

Red Flour Beetle thrives in damp, oxygen-rich environments. If we control the level of oxygen in the storage facility, we can also control pest infestation. The insects will not be able to multiply in oxygen-deficient surroundings. Therefore,  it becomes important to limit the air supply to the storage units.

Hermetic Bags are effective against insect and pest damage. These bags control moisture content by depleting oxygen. As a result, there are no chances of pests, insects, or fungi. As the bags are airtight, the respiration of grains, insects, and molds in the storage will increase CO2 levels. Under such conditions, fungal and insect growths can be inhibited. 

Hermetic Bags for increased flour weight:

Hermetic Bags store grains safely in an airtight, self-regulated, and modified atmosphere. These bags also control the moisture content in the grains, which results in increased flour weight and seed germination.  As a result, the grain quality will be higher in hermetic bags than the ordinary storage methods. 

Reduce insect damage efficiently with SAVE GRAIN BAGS:

Save Grain Bags apply hermetic technology that effectively stores grains in an airtight, self-regulating, and controlled environment.  These bags reduce the amount of moisture in the air by removing oxygen. As a result, there are no bugs, insects, or fungi to worry about. Hermetic Bags reduce pest infestation without the use of any harmful pesticides and toxins These bags do not affect the quality of the grain or seed germination. Even the aroma of the grain remains intact. The quality of grains stored in hermetic bags is higher than the grains stored in traditional methods. Moreover, these bags are completely reusable as well as recyclable. 

Save Grain Bags are the most efficient and sustainable way to end grain loss when storing wheat. 

Basics of storage with Hermetic Bags

About 40% of the farmers in India suffer from post-harvest storage losses. Pest infestation and improper storage facilities are the main causes of these losses. There are numerous control measures. However, the majority are either ineffective or expensive or not scalable and pose health risks. Presently, Hermetic Storage is the most effective technique to store grains that effectively aids to control grain moisture content and prevent insect damage. This technology is used in the Hermetic bags to limit the amount of oxygen available to insects living in stored grain, preventing major damage to the grain.

If you are looking for a simple, affordable, and effective grain storage solution, hermetic bags are an excellent option. 

Here’s everything you need to know about using hermetic storage:

What products can I store in Hermetic Bags?

Mechanism of Hermetic technology
Benefits of Hermetic Technology

You can use them to store a large variety of dry products such as all types of grains, cereals, lentils, pulses, and seeds. Moreover, you can also store flour, herbs, and spices such as turmeric and chilli powder too, in hermetic bags. Further, the storage of coffee, cocoa beans, and tea in them has become quite popular in recent times. Additionally, you can also use these bags to store nuts such as cashew and peanuts. 

Does it work for all grains or just dry ones?

You can store only dry and clean grain in hermetic bags. Therefore, it is essential to dry all grains before storing them in the bags. As a result, this will help reduce the infestation, maintain seed viability, and minimize mold growth.

How to seal grains in Hermetic Bags? 

It is very easy to seal grains in Hermetic Bags. We have explained this in a step-by-step process.  

Step 1

To begin, make sure that all of your grains are clean and have dried up to the desired moisture content. 

Step 2

Put your grains or seeds in the hermetic bag. Get rid of any air from the bag. Press it properly. 

Step 3

Close the bag by twisting the open end and securing it with a cable tie. You can re-tie it if you want to limit the chances of air exchange. To prevent moisture transfer from lower to upper levels, keep the bag in the shade or undercover. Moreover, to restrict oxygen replenishment, limit the number of times the bag is opened and closed.

Where to purchase hermetically sealed bags?

You can purchase hermetic bags from Save Grain Bags. They are an excellent choice for storage without the use of pesticides. In fact, you can also choose from different sizes to suit your needs.  

Hermetic Bags are very easy to use and the instructions regarding their usage are pretty simple, however, there are some things you must take care of.

Some Important Things to Remember While Using Hermetic Bags:

  • Keep hermetic bags out of direct sunshine and excessive heat. Long-term exposure to sunlight may cause harm to the bag and impair its durability and utility.
  • To further simplify inspection and avoid rodent attacks, store hermetic bags on an elevated platform away from walls.
  • Inspect the bags at least once a month. During grain storage, keep the bag closed at all times. If you want to remove the grain for personal use or sale, make sure excess air is squeezed out and the bag is resealed.

Step into a pesticide-free future with Save Grain Bags.

Save Grain Bags ensure the most effective storage without the use of pesticides. The health hazards relating to the use of pesticides are innumerable. With the hermetic bags by Save Grain Bags, you do not need to use any pesticides or insecticides for pest control. The hermetic technology is sufficient to control any kind of pest infestation and maintain the grain quality. 

Hermetic Grain Storage Bags vs Traditional Grain Storage

Grains stored in Save Grain Bags

India is an agricultural country. It contributes to almost 18% of the country’s economy and employs about 50% of the population. The most cultivated staple crops in India include rice, wheat, and maize. However, the agricultural sector experiences a lot of post-harvest storage losses. These losses are because of improper storage facilities and pest infestations. Many argue that the traditional storage methods seem to be insufficient in solving these post-harvest losses. With scientific advancements in the agricultural sector, there seems to be a better way to control the post-harvest losses: Hermetic Bags.

Hermetic Grain Storage Bags

Hermetic bags use a technology that prevents air from passing in or out, therefore controlling the temperature and moisture. If you use hermetic grain storage bags, the outside conditions will not affect the stored product at all. This also means the grains are free from pest infestation. 

Grains stored in Save Grain Bags
Hermetic Save Grain Bags

In fact, a study done by the University of Nebraska shows that hermetic bags are more successful in preventing pest infestation than traditional storage methods.

Traditional storage methods include aerial storage, drying floors or storage in cans, bins or jars and plastic or jute sacks. If we compare these methods to hermetic methods, the latter outdo the former. 

Grain stored in jute bags
Grains stored in jute bags

Let us look at a comparison of both the storage methods under different circumstances.

  • Effect of temperatures: Traditional methods do not prevent damage from humidty or rain. Whereas hermetic bags use airtight technology. Hence, they prevent moisture and control the temperature.
  • Effect of Insect Damage: In traditional storage methods, pest infestation is common. However, in the case of hermetic bags, pest infestation doesn’t occur. The airtight technology creates an oxygen deficit. As a result, pests are not able to survive. The grains remain dry and completely moisture-free.

People have been using traditional methods for a very long time. The reasons for the same are as follows:

  1. Lack of knowledge or awareness about the scientific developments in the sector.
  2. The unavailability of hermetic bags in the commercial markets

People still prefer to use the traditional methods of storage, because it has been an age-old practice. However, the benefits of hermetic bags are countless. 

Let’s see how. 

  1. Hermetic bags are cost-effective.
  2. They can be used for as long as 3 years so long as the grains are stored properly and tied correctly.
  3. Using the hermetic bags is simple.

Hermetic Grain Storage Bags are the future of Agriculture

Hermetic technology is very useful in saving crops from post-harvest losses. In fact, it might be just what the agriculture sector needs today and, in the years to come.

The hermetic bags by Save Grain Bags are a great alternative to traditional methods. The advantages of hermetic grain storage bags outweigh the benefits of traditional storage methods. For the same reason, they are an effective solution for reducing storage losses of grains in India.