Food shortage is a prevailing issue worldwide. The same can be said about hunger and malnutrition. Specific issues like conflicts, climate change and high operating costs only exacerbate the situation. The global community should join forces and share expertise to ensure food security, especially for developing countries.

To help alleviate this problem, food producers must take action to ensure harvested grains are properly dried and stored. There also needs to be a high level of grain quality, and it must be brought to market at a reasonable price.

Farmers and agricultural workers worldwide constantly face mold and spoilage problems that can cause production delays and ruin entire harvests. Aside from the loss of time and money, these threats also endanger communities that rely on grains as their primary food source.

Grain storage technologies

Grains like wheat, corn and rice account for 50% of human caloric consumption. If the world is to make good on its promise to achieve zero hunger by 2030, properly growing and storing these grains should be prioritized.

Food security and sustainability rest on the shoulders of farmers — whether organic, industrial or commercial — and agricultural industries worldwide. That is why it’s paramount for growers to protect their harvests from excess moisture that leads to mold buildup and insect infestation.

This is especially true for agricultural workers and companies in hotter climates with more prevalent moisture. Their location poses additional challenges to properly storing and handling grains and other agricultural products. Here are three technologies that can help with proper grain storage.

Temperature control

A temperature control system in storage bins dramatically reduces the risk of moisture buildup. Fungi and insects thrive in wet environments, so eliminating excess moisture should be a top priority.

Proper ventilation and aeration systems can help control grain temperature and prevent these problems. Monitoring is also a crucial step in maintaining grain temperatures. Temp cables inside storage bins are a great tool for this purpose.

Keeping grains cool in hotter months is widely recommended to maintain quality. Agricultural workers must also use aeration fans to cool the grains until they reach the desired moisture content.

Grain moisture monitor

Monitoring grain moisture content is vital to ensuring a high-quality harvest. Excess dampness can accelerate mold and fungal growth, leading to spoilage. This can happen when grain bin temperatures surpass 70 F. Agricultural workers must maintain safe levels depending on the type of grains they are storing.

Grain moisture monitors are lifesavers for maintaining safe levels. Harvests that go below or above the recommended line will lose quality. Workers must consider the current weather conditions when checking for moisture content inside storage bins.

Grain bags

Storing grains in appropriate bags can help reduce the risk of insect infestations. Jute bags and other traditional options offer little protection against mold and toxin buildup. Hermetic versions can solve this problem by ensuring the grains are sealed during storage.

Hermetic bags minimize postharvest losses by suffocating insects and preventing them from reproducing during storage. Airtight bags are an effective, low-cost solution to grain spoilage.

Farming for the future

The world will always need farmers and agricultural workers to survive. They are as indispensable as the industry they’re in. That’s why companies must recognize the need for better farming solutions and tools to help farmers deal with the challenges of modern agriculture.

Ensuring food security for future generations is a shared responsibility among all countries. The global community should encourage sharing technologies and expertise between high-income and developing nations.

Capable countries should pledge more support to all agriculture advocacies and projects. Only then can the world benefit from a future without hunger and malnutrition.