Low Cost Modified Atmosphere-Hermetic Storage Structures to Reduce Storage Losses of Maize (Zea mays L.) Cobs and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Heads.

Production and marketing of cereal grains is one of the main activities in developing countries to ensure food security. However, the food gap is complicated further by high postharvest loss of grains during storage. The study aimed to compare low cost modified atmosphere hermetic storage structure with traditional practice to minimize quantitative and qualitative losses of grains during storage. The study conducted in two phases; in first phase, seven hermetic storage structures with or without smoke infusion compared and one of selected structure further validated at scaled up capacity in the second phase.Grains stored in PVC bag supported structures (with or without smoke infusion) resulted in less live weevils' population, low percentage of damaged grains and reduced weight loss with better retention of crude protein and fat contents. Result from validation study also demonstrated that, maize and sorghum stored in improved storage structures experienced 9.8 and 10.4 % weevils' damages as compared with 47.3 and 42.3% in traditional storage structures respectively. The same is true, in terms of crude protein and fat contents.The study demonstrated that storage structures supported with PVC bag is efficient and low-cost structures to reduce storage-related losses and support food security efforts as compared to traditional methods. Furthermore, the bag can be made locally and fit different sizes of storage capacities to store either shelled or unshelled products. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.