Year : 2021, Volume : 16, Issue : 1
First page : ( 29) Last page : ( 32)
Print ISSN : 2230-9047. Online ISSN : 2231-6736. Published online : 2021  09.

Reduction in Food Loss Through Storage of Pulses in Hermatic Bags

Mishra Reeta*, Singh Satyendra Pal

RVSKVV-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Morena, Madhya Pradesh

*Corresponding author email id: reetamishra2010@rediffmail.com

Received:  01  October,  2020; :  01  ,  2021.

Abstract

Pulses are precious commodities used around the globe in variety of cuisines. They are rich source of plant proteins and contribute in improving nutrition security. But the post harvest losses are linked to insufficient and poor storage facilities, lack of knowledge of advanced technology in post harvest pulse management and harsh climatic conditions. Hermetic grain storage can be an appropriate method for many subsistence farmers and farm women. Keeping in view these facts, the study was carried out to evaluate the suitability of hermetic storage for pigeonpea to minimize postharvest losses thereby to improve the end-use qualities of pulses. To measure the effectiveness of the technology under farm women’s conditions, neem leaves (T2) and hermetic bags (T3: Grain pro-super bags) were compared to standard farm women’s practice (T1: Gunny bags). The storage period was 90 days, with six evaluation periods. The percent of infestation of pigeonpea seeds in grain pro bags after three months of storage was lowest (2.4%) in T3 treatment as compared to 22.1 and 15.4 per cent in T1 and T2, respectively. The results indicated that the maximum germination percentage was recorded from pulse stored in grain pro bag with 91.3 per cent of germination, whereas, the lowest germination percentage 66.5 per cent was from stored in gunny bag. The results indicated that the maximum moisture content 15.5 percent was recorded from pulse stored in gunny bag. Grain weight loss was significantly higher in the T1 and T2 treatments, than in the hermetic bags. From the three attributes assessed by the farm women, the results showed that the quality of the stored pulse was significantly better for T3 treatment over T1 and T2 treatment groups. Thus hermetic storage bags such as grain pro bags are safer ways to preserve pigeonpea than traditional methods of storage. Using better agricultural practices and adequate storage technologies can significantly reduce the losses and help in strengthening food security.

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Keywords

Farm women, Hermetic grain storage, Moisture, Post harvest losses, Pulses.

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