Innovations in Agricultural Warehouses: Temperature and Humidity Controlled Modern Warehouses Reduce Grain Loss and Preserve Quality

Innovations in Agricultural Warehouses: The agriculture sector in India is an important pillar, which not only supports the country’s economy but is also the main source of livelihood for farmers. However, the Indian agricultural system faces many problems, one of the major problems is grain loss. Every year millions of tons of grain get spoiled, the main reason for which is the lack of unorganized and underdeveloped warehouses. But now, technological developments and innovations have revolutionized the field of agricultural warehousing. Temperature and humidity controlled modern warehouses (Agri-Warehousing Innovations) can reduce the wastage of grain while maintaining its quality.

Problems of Agricultural Warehouses

Storage of agricultural products has become a serious problem in India. A huge amount of grain is wasted every year due to the lack of proper and modern warehouses to store the crops produced by the farmers. Many agricultural warehouses are located in old and unorganized structures, which have neither proper temperature control nor humidity monitoring. This leads to crop losses and deterioration in quality. This problem is not only a cause of concern for farmers, but also has a negative impact on the food security and economy of the country as a whole.

1. Old and unorganized warehouse structures

Most agricultural warehouses in India are located in old and unorganized structures, which are largely backward from modern storage techniques. These warehouses are deprived of the infrastructure required to keep agricultural produce safe and protected. Temperature and humidity are not controlled in these warehouses, which adversely affects the quality of grains. Not only is there no proper management to protect the grain from pests and fungi in these warehouses, but the grain also rots quickly due to the effect of environmental elements.

2. Temperature and humidity problems

Temperature and humidity have a huge impact on the grain in the Indian agricultural sector. Especially in the summer months, when the temperature rises too much, it severely affects the quality of the grains stored in the warehouses. Due to high temperature and humidity, the infestation of fungus and pests increases in the grains, which leads to the decline in the quality of the crop and it gets spoiled quickly. Especially grains like paddy and wheat require a proper environment for storage, which is not available in old and unorganized warehouses.

3. Infestation of pests and fungi

Infestation of pests and fungi is a common problem in warehouses in India. Along with the problem of temperature and humidity, grains stored in unsafe warehouses lead to infestation of pests, which destroy the crop. Insect attacks in crops like paddy and wheat cause a lot of damage, and farmers have to face huge economic losses. This problem is especially more in those areas where there is no adequate pest control system in the warehouses.

4. Wastage due to effects of moisture and temperature

In India, a large number of agricultural warehouses are temporary structures, which are not suitable for safe storage of grains. Grains stored in the open or in temporary warehouses are directly affected by weather fluctuations. During monsoons, moisture causes rotting and mold in the grains, while during the summer season, high temperatures cause the grains to dry out quickly and deteriorate their quality. Thus, the storage conditions in these temporary warehouses are not ideal, and farmers suffer huge losses.

5. Overall losses

About 10-15% of the grains in India get spoiled during storage in warehouses every year, leading to wastage of millions of tonnes of grains. If we look at this figure from a financial perspective, this loss is a major challenge for the Indian economy in the agricultural sector. Also, it has a serious impact on food security, as millions of people depend on this wasted grain.

For farmers, it is not just a financial loss but also a loss of confidence when they find out that their grain has been damaged. This also affects the price of their produce and they are unable to get proper compensation for their hard work.

6. Unstable and uneven storage systems

Another major problem of agricultural warehouses in India is that storage facilities are unevenly distributed. Some major agricultural producing states have better warehouse facilities, while in other areas it is extremely poor or inadequate. Due to this, farmers often have to travel long distances to keep their produce safe. This not only leads to a waste of time but also adds additional transportation costs.

7. Lack of government and private initiative

India lacks government and private initiative to make the capital investments and technological innovations required for agricultural warehouses. Many government schemes and plans have been proposed to build storage facilities for farmers, but the implementation of these schemes is slow, and many places are not getting proper benefits. Private sector companies are also hesitant to invest in this sector because the assistance provided for improving warehouses is very little.

Solution: Measures required to improve agricultural warehouses 

There are many effective and holistic measures that can be taken to improve the condition of agricultural warehouses in India, which will not only help the farmers but will also strengthen the agricultural economy of the entire country. Here are some more solutions that we can implement to solve the problem of agricultural warehouses:

1. Financial assistance and loan facility

Most Indian farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs do not have enough capital to build modern warehouses or implement technological innovations. For this, the government should take steps to provide loans to farmers and agribusinesses at a minimum interest rate. For example, farmers can get loans under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, as seen in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana. This will allow farmers to easily build modern warehouses and storage facilities, which will help maintain the quality of their crops.

2. Public-Private Partnership (PPP Model)

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model can be promoted in the construction and operation of agricultural warehouses. Under this model, the government and the private sector can jointly share the responsibility of structuring, operating and maintaining modern warehouses. This will not only benefit from the expertise of the private sector, but can also provide financial help and subsidies from the government. Such examples have been seen before, such as the Annapurna Yojana or Anna Yojana, where the government and private sectors together provided better warehouse facilities for farmers.

3. Digitalization and smart monitoring of warehouses

Nowadays, with the help of digital technology, monitoring of warehouses can be made more efficient. Smart warehouses in India can be digitized and better storage arrangements can be provided to farmers by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). Smart warehouses can monitor temperature, humidity, pest conditions, and crop quality in real-time using sensors and cameras. This can immediately resolve problems occurring in warehouses, and ensure the quality of grains.

Inspiration: As an example, “micro-climate control” technology has been successfully used in Punjab, which has improved the quality of grains stored in warehouses. In addition, digital platforms are being used by the Government of India, such as FPO (Farmer Producer Organizations) and eNAM (electronic National Agriculture Market), which provide better storage facilities to farmers.

4. Expansion of cold storage facilities in warehouses

Many agricultural products in India such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meat demand storage in a cold environment. Cold storage facilities should be expanded for these products. For this, states should set up special cold chain systems, where adequate temperature and humidity are maintained to keep these products safe and fresh.

Inspiration: For example, cold storage has been expanded for the storage of agricultural products for farmers in Punjab and Maharashtra, which has helped them get better prices and their produce remains fresh for a longer period. This gives farmers an opportunity to sell their produce at higher prices.

5. Regional Storage Improvement

Storage facilities in India are unevenly distributed, which varies across different states and regions. Therefore, it is necessary to build storage facilities according to the specific needs of each region. For example, there is an abundance of wheat and rice in western India, while the production of pulses and oil crops is high in southern India. Appropriate warehouses and storage facilities can be built for these specific products in each state.

For this, state governments will have to improve their agricultural policies and provide proper facilities in different areas by understanding the storage needs of agricultural products.

6. Training and Capacity Building

Farmers, warehouse managers and other related staff should be trained regularly for the proper operation and management of agricultural warehouses. This training should focus on storage in warehouses, temperature control, monitoring humidity, pest control and maintaining the quality of products.

Apart from this, it is also important to make farmers aware about modern storage techniques and equipment. Training workshops and outreach centres can be set up by the government and various NGOs where farmers can learn these techniques and use them properly.

7. Use of Solar Energy for Warehouses

India has a huge potential for solar energy, and it can be used as a sustainable source of energy in warehouses. Warehouses run by solar energy will not only save energy but will also be beneficial for the environment. For example, in solar energy rich regions like Gujarat and Rajasthan, new initiatives can be taken to run agricultural warehouses on solar energy. This initiative will reduce the cost of operating the warehouses and provide affordable and sustainable energy sources to farmers.

8. Expansion of storage facilities in remote areas 

In many remote and hilly areas of India, agricultural products do not get proper place for storage. For this, agricultural storage centers can be expanded in those areas, where farmers can keep their produce safe without any loss. For this, the government should set up regional storage facilities under special schemes.

Technological innovations and modern warehouses

The agricultural sector in India needs constant improvement, and technological innovations of modern warehouses have played an important role in this. Technologies such as smart warehouses, automated storage systems, microclimate control and cold chain have helped in storing grains, maintaining its quality and increasing the profit of farmers. Here we will understand the use of these technologies in India in detail.

1. Smart Warehouses

The use of smart warehouses is increasing rapidly in India, especially in states that are major in the agricultural sector, such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Internet of Things (IoT), sensors, and data analytics are used in these warehouses. For example, a warehouse in Maharashtra has been installed with smart sensors to control temperature and humidity, which provide real-time data on the status of the grain. This not only maintains the quality of the grain but also controls the growth of pests and fungi. Based on the data received by the sensors, the temperature and humidity are automatically adjusted, providing an ideal storage environment for the grain.

With this technological innovation, farmers can get accurate information about the status of their produce, allowing them to better manage their grain. The advantage of smart warehouses is that it gives the farmer control over the storage of his crop through advanced technologies, and reduces the quality deterioration caused by it.

2. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems

The use of automated storage and retrieval systems is increasing in some of the major agricultural producing areas of India. These systems use robots and conveyor belts, which automatically store and retrieve grains in warehouses. This technology saves time and ensures safe storage of grains in the warehouse.

For example, a grain warehouse in Uttar Pradesh is using robots that move grain sacks from one place to another automatically. This system not only ensures the safety of the grain, but it also makes the storage process more efficient. This reduces the need for human labor in the warehouse, which also reduces operating costs.

3. Microclimate Control Systems

Microclimate control systems are being used in many agriculture-dominated states of India, such as the areas of North India, where wheat and rice are produced in large quantities. In this system, the temperature, humidity and air flow inside the warehouse are completely controlled. This not only maintains the quality of the grain, but it also controls the growth of pests and fungi, which can affect the quality of the grain.

This system has been successfully used in an agricultural warehouse in Rajasthan, in which the microclimate is controlled to protect the grains from moisture and high temperatures. This system is especially important for areas where there is excessive heat and humidity, as grains can spoil quickly under these conditions. With this technology, the quality of grains stored in warehouses has improved, and farmers have received the facility of safe storage for a long time.

4. Cold Chain and Cooling Technology

Cold chain and cooling technology is used in India especially for storing fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat and seafood. The importance of cold chain system has increased a lot to store agricultural products properly. Indian farmers can safely send their produce to the market over long distances using this technology, maintaining the freshness of the products and preserving their quality.

Under a cold chain project in Punjab, farmers have set up temperature-controlled warehouses to store their vegetables and fruits. These warehouses use cooling techniques to control the temperature so that the freshness of the produce is maintained. This technology gives farmers the ability to store their produce for a longer period of time and sell it at a higher price. This initiative has benefited small farmers in particular as they can now sell their produce at the right time and at the right price.

5. Solar-Powered Warehouses

The use of solar energy in the agricultural sector is increasing rapidly in India, and under this, solar-powered cooling and climate control systems have been installed in many warehouses. In states like Rajasthan and Gujarat, farmers have made their warehouses completely sustainable by using solar panels. 

These warehouses not only generate electricity from solar energy, but also use it to control temperature and humidity in the warehouses. This technology reduces the cost of energy and is environmentally friendly. The financial assistance and government schemes provided to farmers through these types of warehouses have made them more effective.

The future of agricultural warehouses in India is now more promising, as the problems of farmers are being solved with the use of modern technologies and innovations. The loss of grains has been reduced drastically and its quality is being preserved through temperature and humidity controlled warehouses. Farmers are getting the benefit of these technologies through government schemes and initiatives, which is improving their livelihood. If these innovations are used properly, then the agriculture sector in India can get a new direction, and the wastage of grains can be reduced.