Miller Magazine Issue: 150 June 2022

70 COVER STORY MILLER / JUNE 2022 When the grain season comes to an end, millers have to face ultimate confrontation – storage and handling. Grain storage and handling facility includes grain receival, grain movement, grain cleaning, reclaim, storage and possibly drying and cleaning operations. This is a major investment and the whole system must be carefully planned. Storage facilities, handling systems, and atmospheric conditions can significantly affect the quality and value of the grain. Since grains are usually stored for a longer period, stor- age is a particularly delicate stage in grain production that requires adequate management. After all, grains are an extremely important part in human nutrition and when the production relocates from the beautiful golden fields to storage, there is no room for any mistakes. In many countries, grain handlers, millers, and consoli- dators are switching from bagged storage to bulk storage of grains. Everyone has understood that bulk storage will make them more competitive as they save a lot of money as they no longer have to spend on gunny bag purchase and bag handling activities like bagging, bag sealing, bag stacking, stack breaking, bag loading, bag unloading, etc. Besides, condition monitoring of bulk grain storage is much easier than bagged grain storage due to the ease of installation of condition monitoring and controlling equipment like temperature monitoring, carbondioxide monitoring, humidity sensing, fumigation system, aeration and ventilation systems. Moreover, bulk grain logistics is much cheaper and faster than bagged grain logistics be- cause it can be mechanized easily. All storage systems must be designed to adequately protect and preserve the quality of the grain. Whole grain can sprout under certain conditions and will also attract moulds, insects and rodents. In addition, the storage of grain presents several safety issues. Grain storage sys- tems come in a range of shapes and sizes; The design of a grain storage facility should be based on: •Length of time for storage – temporary or long-term •Degree of segregation of different types of grain •Identity preservation requirements •Expected useful life of the structure In general, grain in long-term storage should be held cool and dry. Options include smooth wall steel silos, corrugated steel silos bins, concrete silos and under- ground pits. Steel silos are the most common method of long-term storage for grain. In order to maximize grain Grain storage occupies a vital place in the organizations (whether it is small or big) of developed and developing countries. Well, the truth is that silos are the best solution for preserving grain quality for a longer period. With safe storage, proper grain handling, we can escape the confines of the nation. The art of grain storing and handling with silos Karan Singhal Mill Manager Swiss Bake, Trade Kings Group, Zambia