‫الرحيم‬ ‫الرحمن‬ ‫هللا‬ ‫بسم‬
University of Khartoum
Faculty of Postgraduate
M.Sc. Agricultural Engineering
Seminar on :
GRAIN STORAGE
Presented by:
1. Islam Elrayah
2. Hassan Sdeig
3. Nossiba Abdullah
September 2021

Seminar Outlines:
 Introduction
 Importance of grain Storage
 Methods of grain Storage
 Traditional Methods
 Modern Methods
 Conclusion

Introduction:
 Storage of cereals is a very important preservation method.
 It is particularly important in Africa because agricultural
production is mostly seasonal.
 while the demand for agricultural commodities is more
evenly spread throughout the year.
 many techniques using in agriculture storage.

The selection of a storage technique or structure depends
on:
Production level
Climatic conditions.
Quantity of grain to be stored
Required duration of the storage

Methods of Grain Storage:
This can be categorized into:
 Traditional Methods
These storage facilities are made of local materials (plant
materials and soil) and constructed by the villagers themselves.
Advantages:
Traditional storage structures are made from readily available
local materials

cheap methods for the storage grain.
Disadvantages:
cannot guarantee total protection of the grains in storage
against adverse environmental conditions.
increased microbial activity, and storage pest.

Types of traditional methods:
 Rhombus
 A mud rhombus is a specially built structure made from a
mixture of dry grass and clay.
 It usually consists of a bin resting on large stones and
covered with a thatched roof.
 The shape could be cylindrical, spherical, or circular.

Rhombus

Thatch Rhombus showing tree stem external support.

Traditional Cribs
A crib is a storage structure used for temporary storage of
grains.
 It is usually rectangular with ventilated sides and is raised
about a meter from the ground and with rodent guard.
Cribs are constructed from bamboo grass straws or wire
mesh.

Traditional Cribs

Underground Pit
 An underground pit is commonly used in arid and semi arid
regions.
 The pit, which may be round or square in cross section, is
usually 1 – 3 m deep and 1 - 3 m in diameter or square.
 The underground pit is usually lined with straw.

Underground Pit

Open Stack Method
 In the open stack storage method, grain quantities of
upwards of 5000 tons or more.
 Grain can be stored for short periods.

Open Stack

Modern Storage
 Modern storage structures are mostly used for medium or
long term and medium or large scale storage.
Advantages:
Complete control of aeration
 Possible to store the grain for very long time periods
 Very large storage capacity

Low running costs due to larger quantities
 Low labour requirements
 Rapid handling, saving time
 Effective and efficient fumigation operation
 Possible to mechanize all operations
 Complete protection against natural elements

Disadvantages:
The major challenge in the use of metal silos is the
initial high cost of installation
the unused space cannot be used for other activities .

 A major motivation for the use of improved storage
facilities is the protection of stored agricultural products
against insect attacks .
 These include:
Improved crib
Warehouse
 Silo/ Bin

Warehouse:
 A warehouse is a building for storing goods including's
grain .
 Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers,
exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs,
etc.

Warehouse

Silo
 Silos are an efficient method of storing grain.
 Bulk grain takes less space and can be handled mechanically
hence reducing bagging and handling costs.
 There are different types of silos of various sizes for storing
grain in bulk.

Steel grain silos

Concrete Silo

References:
Economic and Work Sector Report, 2011. Missing Food: The
case of Postharvest Grain Losses in Sub-Saharan Africa,
Report No 60371-AFR.
United State Agency for International Development, 2011.
Staple Crops Storage Handbook, Washington.

THANK YOU FOR ATTENTION