Grain storage systems and insect management in Punjab (north India)

Abstract

A food bowl of India, Punjab contributes 17% to wheat and 12% to rice production per year from the country’s 3% of the net sown area. The grains thus produced are either moved along the supply chain to meet the market demands or are held under storage for future use. The types and conditions of storage structures are the most important factors in handling and storage of food grains. In Punjab, a part of the produced grains is generally stored at farm level, in structures like Bukhari (3.5 to 18 tonnes) made of mud and bricks, earthen egg shaped Bharola (40-80 kg) and galvanized metal bins (PAU model - 0.15 to 1.5 tonne). The large amount is stored commercially by government agencies or hired storage structures that accounts for 14.6 million tonnes (Mt) in warehouses, uncovered Cover and Plinth (CAP) structures and silos. Major storage is done by agencies such as: Punjab State Warehousing Corporation (covered: 5.22 Mt and uncovered: 1.03 Mt), Food Corporation of India (covered: 4.43 Mt and uncovered: 2.41 Mt), Central Warehousing Corporation (1.26 Mt) and silos (FCI and private sector 0.25 Mt). About 97% of the commercial storage is done in bags (made of jute or polypropylene woven) under covered or uncovered conditions either inside warehouse or CAP storage as compared to 3% in bulk modernized silos. The biotic agents like beetles (Coleoptera) and moths (Lepidoptera) are the common insects attacking grains under storage deteriorating the quality and affecting the quantity of stored grains. The effective management of these insects found under the prevailing storage conditions is a major challenge in Punjab