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Sri Lankan rice farmers lose up to 20 percent of their harvest due to poor storage, Agri Genesis, a firm that is selling grain storage facility developed in East Asia said.
Sri Lanka's rural economy, low on growth and high on labor relies heavily on agriculture to generate income.
The island's paddy production yields are one of the lowest in the region.
Last year Sri Lankan rice farmers had a yield of 4,583 kilos per hectarein the 'Maha' cultivation season, and 4,444 kilos in the 'Yala' season, while South East Asian neighbors Vietnam yields were almost 50 percent higher at 6,690 kilos per hectare.
Experts in the agri sector say poor storage devices are making matters worse.
"Sri Lanka produces around 2.6 million metric tons during the Maha season and 1.7 million metric tons during the Yala season," said Samud Gunesekara, general manager of Agri Genesis Lanka Lanka.
"Record indicates that around 15 to 20 percent of paddy perishes annually due to poor storage facilities.
"Due to current weather conditions and recent flood damage post harvest losses in paddy have an increased dramatically."
Agri Genesis is offering farmers Philippines produced GrainPro, a portable granary that can store grains to up to 16 years. The plastic cocoon can store almost all varies of grains and dried foods.
"You know 3,000 years ago we can see grains being stored in clay pots. These clay pots are sealed both underground and is basically air tight," Rodel Anunciado, continent manager, GrainPro Philippines said.
"So what the company did was try to simulate the same thing by using different areas because clay is not practical right now so we use a special kind of plastic that makes it air tight, gas tight and water tight."
Sri Lanka spends over 30 billion rupees a year on dishing out agriculture subsidies. In 2008 during the global commodity bubble the subsidy bill cost touched 50 billion rupees.
Political parties fight bitter battles during parliamentary and presidency to pull in large agri sector vote based by making election manifesto promises like fertilizer subsidies and minimum price hikes on paddy.
However the rural agriculture sector over 60 years since intendance still remains one of the poorest in the country. Source
Sri Lanka's rural economy, low on growth and high on labor relies heavily on agriculture to generate income.
The island's paddy production yields are one of the lowest in the region.
Last year Sri Lankan rice farmers had a yield of 4,583 kilos per hectarein the 'Maha' cultivation season, and 4,444 kilos in the 'Yala' season, while South East Asian neighbors Vietnam yields were almost 50 percent higher at 6,690 kilos per hectare.
Experts in the agri sector say poor storage devices are making matters worse.
"Sri Lanka produces around 2.6 million metric tons during the Maha season and 1.7 million metric tons during the Yala season," said Samud Gunesekara, general manager of Agri Genesis Lanka Lanka.
"Record indicates that around 15 to 20 percent of paddy perishes annually due to poor storage facilities.
"Due to current weather conditions and recent flood damage post harvest losses in paddy have an increased dramatically."
Agri Genesis is offering farmers Philippines produced GrainPro, a portable granary that can store grains to up to 16 years. The plastic cocoon can store almost all varies of grains and dried foods.
"You know 3,000 years ago we can see grains being stored in clay pots. These clay pots are sealed both underground and is basically air tight," Rodel Anunciado, continent manager, GrainPro Philippines said.
"So what the company did was try to simulate the same thing by using different areas because clay is not practical right now so we use a special kind of plastic that makes it air tight, gas tight and water tight."
Sri Lanka spends over 30 billion rupees a year on dishing out agriculture subsidies. In 2008 during the global commodity bubble the subsidy bill cost touched 50 billion rupees.
Political parties fight bitter battles during parliamentary and presidency to pull in large agri sector vote based by making election manifesto promises like fertilizer subsidies and minimum price hikes on paddy.
However the rural agriculture sector over 60 years since intendance still remains one of the poorest in the country. Source
GrainPro Portable Granary a cost effective, hassle free, preservation system mainly suited for agriculture products was introduced to the Sri Lankan Market by Agri Genesis Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., on Tuesday.
All types of grains and seeds including rice, corn, tea, spices, wheat and even flowers can be stored in GrainPro systems. GrainPro Portable Granary storage system uses the same technology of the traditional underground hermetic storage system, which is still used in several Asian and African countries. Hermetic Technology is a system, which enables gas tight, air tight and watertight environment. This permits the control of oxygen inside the system and keeping it at a very low level, causing the death of insects through oxygen deprivation and inhibits the growth of micro organisms, said GrainPro Philippines, Inc Continent Manager Asia Rodel Anunciado.
GrainPro Portable Granary systems ensure minimal storage losses, a prolonged shelf life, prevention of the use of pesticides, flexibility and mobility. In respect to the effectiveness of the storage system Anunciado said the longest recorded duration of preserved rice in a GrainPro storage system was for 16 years."
GrainPro storage systems range from cocoons to grain bags. The Grain Pro Cocoons are made of heavy duty, all weather resistant and reinforced PVC. GrainPro a pioneer in Green Technology can be used for organic cultivation. "Carbon dioxide can be injected in to the cocoon as it is an inner gas and can be conceded as organic which would be ideal for organic growers stated Anuncaido.
The cocoons come in different sizes, suited to varying needs from one metric tonne to 1000 metric tonnes. There is no need for any infrastructure for the construction of cocoons. The World Food Programme in Sri Lanka has requested Grain Safes for distribution in the Northern Province. The Grain Pro Super Bags, which is commonly used by seed growers, can be used to store tea and coffee.
Collaborating with the Sri Lanka Paddy Marketing Board, Grain Pro carried out a trial for a month to store paddy using Grain Pro Cocoons at Mahweli B section in Polonnaruwa. At the trial, they found out that there was no insect or fungal damage to the paddy and there was only a minimal loss of moisture. Loss of moisture compared to a normal storage facility is 4% lower in GrainPro Coccoons.
Sri Lanka produces about 4.3 million metric tonnes of paddy annually and out of this 15% to 20% of paddy perishes yearly due to the poor storage facilities said Agri Genesis Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., General Manager Samud Gunasekera. This is a unique opportunity for Sri Lankan farmers to preserve and to limit wastage of their agricultural products. Agri Genesis Lanka provides an enhanced customer service system islandwide and monitors its products constantly. He also said that Agri Genesis Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., plans to give a five-year warranty to its GrainPro customers. Source
All types of grains and seeds including rice, corn, tea, spices, wheat and even flowers can be stored in GrainPro systems. GrainPro Portable Granary storage system uses the same technology of the traditional underground hermetic storage system, which is still used in several Asian and African countries. Hermetic Technology is a system, which enables gas tight, air tight and watertight environment. This permits the control of oxygen inside the system and keeping it at a very low level, causing the death of insects through oxygen deprivation and inhibits the growth of micro organisms, said GrainPro Philippines, Inc Continent Manager Asia Rodel Anunciado.
GrainPro Portable Granary systems ensure minimal storage losses, a prolonged shelf life, prevention of the use of pesticides, flexibility and mobility. In respect to the effectiveness of the storage system Anunciado said the longest recorded duration of preserved rice in a GrainPro storage system was for 16 years."
GrainPro storage systems range from cocoons to grain bags. The Grain Pro Cocoons are made of heavy duty, all weather resistant and reinforced PVC. GrainPro a pioneer in Green Technology can be used for organic cultivation. "Carbon dioxide can be injected in to the cocoon as it is an inner gas and can be conceded as organic which would be ideal for organic growers stated Anuncaido.
The cocoons come in different sizes, suited to varying needs from one metric tonne to 1000 metric tonnes. There is no need for any infrastructure for the construction of cocoons. The World Food Programme in Sri Lanka has requested Grain Safes for distribution in the Northern Province. The Grain Pro Super Bags, which is commonly used by seed growers, can be used to store tea and coffee.
Collaborating with the Sri Lanka Paddy Marketing Board, Grain Pro carried out a trial for a month to store paddy using Grain Pro Cocoons at Mahweli B section in Polonnaruwa. At the trial, they found out that there was no insect or fungal damage to the paddy and there was only a minimal loss of moisture. Loss of moisture compared to a normal storage facility is 4% lower in GrainPro Coccoons.
Sri Lanka produces about 4.3 million metric tonnes of paddy annually and out of this 15% to 20% of paddy perishes yearly due to the poor storage facilities said Agri Genesis Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., General Manager Samud Gunasekera. This is a unique opportunity for Sri Lankan farmers to preserve and to limit wastage of their agricultural products. Agri Genesis Lanka provides an enhanced customer service system islandwide and monitors its products constantly. He also said that Agri Genesis Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., plans to give a five-year warranty to its GrainPro customers. Source
As the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) ends, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Rice Program team, in partnership with GrainPro, a US-headquartered supplier of organic hermetic storage and agricultural commodity drying systems conducted a two-day Rice Program Farm Mechanization and Post Harvest Equipment Familiarization Seminar at Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, Cebu City November 30 until December 1, 2011.
The event is attended by 30 representatives from the 15 Rice producing Regions of the Philippines, representing the Regional Field Units (RFUs) of the Department of Agriculture, headed by the office of the Regional Executive Directors. Also represented is the office of the National Rice coordinator under the leadership of Director Dante S. De Lima, with the 4 Regional Cluster Coordinators detailed at the regional level also attending. Read More
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| Mr. Tom de Bruin, President/CEO of GrainPro during his presentation on the Rice Familiarization Training held in Cebu last November 30 to December 1, 2011 | REDs Cipriano Santiago and Eduardo Holoyohoy with the representatives during the open forum. |
The event is attended by 30 representatives from the 15 Rice producing Regions of the Philippines, representing the Regional Field Units (RFUs) of the Department of Agriculture, headed by the office of the Regional Executive Directors. Also represented is the office of the National Rice coordinator under the leadership of Director Dante S. De Lima, with the 4 Regional Cluster Coordinators detailed at the regional level also attending. Read More
Silos metálicos, bolsas de plástico, variedades mejoradas resistentes a plagas y bio-insecticidas locales, son parte de las tecnologías de investigación que se desarrollarán en el Postharvest Biotecnology Laboratory que estará ubicado en las instalaciones del Centro de Biotecnología FEMSA, esto luego del acuerdo firmado por el Tecnológico de Monterrey y GrainPro, Inc. cuya puesta en marcha reduciría hasta en un 70 por ciento las pérdidas postcosecha del maíz.
Source: http://www.itesm.edu/wps/wcm/connect/snc/portal+informativo/por+tema/investigacion/conveniogranpro5sep11
Source: http://www.itesm.edu/wps/wcm/connect/snc/portal+informativo/por+tema/investigacion/conveniogranpro5sep11
Mr. Schmidley was one of several guest speakers on opening day, highlighting IRRI's now 10-year partnershipwith GrainPro, Inc., a leading manufacturer of hermetic storage technologies and other "green" storage solutions. He also discussed IRRI's postharvest activities in various countries that helped reduce postharvest losses through learning alliances and other multi-stakeholder delivery platforms, aiming for better linkage among research, technology, delivery to, and adoption by farmers and other postharvest chain actors.
Other speakers were representatives from local and international agencies and donor organizations involved in agriculture, finance, and extension.
The conference was attended by 13 GrainPro distributors from Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Lao PDR. GrainPro opened an expanded manufacturing facility in Subic Bay earlier this year.
Ting Gomos, GrainPro VP for sales, marketing, and business development, closed the first day's proceedings by paraphrasing a quote by Victor Hugo in his closing remarks referring to hermetic storage technology—"an invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come." Source: IRRI
As coffee growers, logistics companies and roasters search for a way to protect high qulaity coffee during storage and transportation, one particular technique seems to be coming to the fore.
Last year saw continuing rapid growth in the use of GrainPro Cocoons, SuperGrainbags and TranSafeliners by coffee growers, exporters, traders, importers and roasters around the world to preserve the quality of coffee prior to roasting. Read More
Last year saw continuing rapid growth in the use of GrainPro Cocoons, SuperGrainbags and TranSafeliners by coffee growers, exporters, traders, importers and roasters around the world to preserve the quality of coffee prior to roasting. Read More
ROME — Food losses in sub-Saharan Africa could be greatly reduced and billions of dollars a year could be saved by tackling the problem of post-harvest waste, the UN's food agency said on Tuesday.
"Investing in post-harvest technologies to reduce food losses could significantly increase the food supply in sub-Saharan Africa," the Food and Agriculture Organisation said in a new report produced with the World Bank.
The report, done in collaboration with Britain's Natural Resources Institute, estimates the value of post-harvest grain losses in sub-Saharan Africa to be around $4 billion (2.8 billion euros) a year.
The estimated annual grain production is worth $27 billion, meaning $4 billion dollars would be a roughly 15-percent loss of output.
"This lost food could meet the minimum annual food requirements of at least 48 million people," FAO deputy chief Maria Helena Semedo said in the report.
"If we agree that sustainable agricultural systems need to be developed to feed 9 billion people by 2050, addressing waste across the entire food chain must be a critical pillar of future national food strategies," she added.
In eastern and southern Africa alone, food losses are valued at $1.6 billion a year, or about 13.5 percent of the total value of grain production.
"Losses occur when grain decays or is infested by pests, fungi or microbes, and physical losses are only part of the equation," the report said.
"Losses can also be economic, resulting from low prices and lack of access to markets for poor quality grain, or nutritional, arising from poor quality or contaminated food."
The Rome-based agency said such losses "contribute to high food prices by removing part of the food supply from the market."
It warned that they also have negative environmental impacts because "land, water and non-renewable resources such as fertilizer and energy are used to produce, process, handle and transport food that no one consumes."
The report suggested ways to reduce post-harvest losses, including crop protectants and storage containers, but said more research and piloting was needed to make sure steps taken were "sensitive to local conditions."
"Technologies that have taken off in Asia, such as small-scale rice-drying technology and the introduction of pedal threshers and rice mills, have had successful adoption in some parts of Africa," FAO said.
The report said governments could help tackle food losses by reducing market costs by investing in infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water.
"Investing in post-harvest technologies to reduce food losses could significantly increase the food supply in sub-Saharan Africa," the Food and Agriculture Organisation said in a new report produced with the World Bank.
The report, done in collaboration with Britain's Natural Resources Institute, estimates the value of post-harvest grain losses in sub-Saharan Africa to be around $4 billion (2.8 billion euros) a year.
The estimated annual grain production is worth $27 billion, meaning $4 billion dollars would be a roughly 15-percent loss of output.
"This lost food could meet the minimum annual food requirements of at least 48 million people," FAO deputy chief Maria Helena Semedo said in the report.
"If we agree that sustainable agricultural systems need to be developed to feed 9 billion people by 2050, addressing waste across the entire food chain must be a critical pillar of future national food strategies," she added.
In eastern and southern Africa alone, food losses are valued at $1.6 billion a year, or about 13.5 percent of the total value of grain production.
"Losses occur when grain decays or is infested by pests, fungi or microbes, and physical losses are only part of the equation," the report said.
"Losses can also be economic, resulting from low prices and lack of access to markets for poor quality grain, or nutritional, arising from poor quality or contaminated food."
The Rome-based agency said such losses "contribute to high food prices by removing part of the food supply from the market."
It warned that they also have negative environmental impacts because "land, water and non-renewable resources such as fertilizer and energy are used to produce, process, handle and transport food that no one consumes."
The report suggested ways to reduce post-harvest losses, including crop protectants and storage containers, but said more research and piloting was needed to make sure steps taken were "sensitive to local conditions."
"Technologies that have taken off in Asia, such as small-scale rice-drying technology and the introduction of pedal threshers and rice mills, have had successful adoption in some parts of Africa," FAO said.
The report said governments could help tackle food losses by reducing market costs by investing in infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water.
For a PDF copy of the latest GrainPro Newsletter, please click here. Hard copies can be obtained at request from our offices in the US or in the Philippines.
On Feb 22, 2011, Bilha Maina of Kenya Promotions and Marketing Co. Ltd., GrainPro's exclusive distributor in Kenya, received the SEED award at the UNEP conference for a project called “Village Cereal Aggregation Centres (VCAC)” in Naorobi, Kenya. SEED is a UNEP sponsored organization trying to boost business initiatives contributing to a better and green environment. The Village Cereal Aggregation Center is the first setup of a GrainPro GrainKeep Center.
Project description can be found here.
For further details, click here.
Project description can be found here.
For further details, click here.
Farmers, processors and exporters in 26 African countries are profiting form the "Green Revolution Phase II: the Post-Storage Revolution." Hermetic (airtight) storage is now being used to address this long neglected link in the African food value chain while simultaneously eliminating the need for pesticides and refrigeration. Download PDF
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) just confirmed the funding of US$ 181K and offered our Kenya Distributor KPMC Holdings their contract last 21st December.
An extensive media coverage was also organized having our Distributor signed some acceptance documents on the spot. Cocoons were also shown on national television and the media did justice explaining the benefits of GrainPro technology.
This endorsement now leads to GrainPro’s new GrainKeep™ project. At the moment, KPMC Holdings is developing an implementation plan. This project will be the turning point for Kenya and East Africa, once it is effectively recognized; the market will open up expansively.
GrainPro is planning an extensive chain of village grain storage centers world wide. Complete grain storage centers will be shipped world wide to be set up in a few days at the most remote locations. The GrainPro village storage concept ensures a complete mobile storage facility where grain will be shelled or threshed, cleaned and dried and packed in standard bags for distribution to local markets. Strict quality control will ensure that the grain meets all quality parameters.
An extensive media coverage was also organized having our Distributor signed some acceptance documents on the spot. Cocoons were also shown on national television and the media did justice explaining the benefits of GrainPro technology.
This endorsement now leads to GrainPro’s new GrainKeep™ project. At the moment, KPMC Holdings is developing an implementation plan. This project will be the turning point for Kenya and East Africa, once it is effectively recognized; the market will open up expansively.
GrainPro is planning an extensive chain of village grain storage centers world wide. Complete grain storage centers will be shipped world wide to be set up in a few days at the most remote locations. The GrainPro village storage concept ensures a complete mobile storage facility where grain will be shelled or threshed, cleaned and dried and packed in standard bags for distribution to local markets. Strict quality control will ensure that the grain meets all quality parameters.
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and GrainPro, Inc. sign a cooperation agreement today to promote the adoption and dissemination of rice storage technologies in the Philippines.
12.09.2010 – The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and GrainPro, Inc. sign a cooperation agreement today to promote the adoption and dissemination of rice storage technologies in the Philippines.
Between 15 and 25% of rice harvest is lost due to inefficient and outdated postharvest operations. The agreement is part of an ongoing collaboration between IRRI and GrainPro to develop storage and other technologies that reduce physical and quality losses in the postharvest chain.
“This joint agreement allows us to better provide farmers, farmers’ groups, processors, and seed producers with cost-effective technologies that help reduce postharvest losses and maintain the quality of rice and seeds,” explained Mr. Martin Gummert, IRRI senior scientist and head of its Postharvest Unit.
“Working in partnership, including with the private sector,” he added, “allows us to reach end-users in a way we cannot do alone, thus helping enhance food security and improving livelihoods for rice farmers and consumers.”
Mr. Gummert’s group pilots improved storage of rice grains and seeds across Southeast Asia. The nonexclusive agreement with GrainPro in the Philippines will hopefully lead to other agreements and partnerships in the region.
GrainPro, Inc. is a private company engaged in the development, manufacture, and commercial distribution of airtight storage systems for rice and other crops.
Read More
12.09.2010 – The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and GrainPro, Inc. sign a cooperation agreement today to promote the adoption and dissemination of rice storage technologies in the Philippines.
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| (L-R) Tom de Bruin, President/CEO-GrainPro Phils., Inc. , Phil Villers, President/CEO-GrainPro Inc. , Dr. Achim Dobermann, Deputy Director General-IRRI and Alfred Schmidley, Business Model $ Value Chain Specialist-IRRI. |
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Between 15 and 25% of rice harvest is lost due to inefficient and outdated postharvest operations. The agreement is part of an ongoing collaboration between IRRI and GrainPro to develop storage and other technologies that reduce physical and quality losses in the postharvest chain.
“This joint agreement allows us to better provide farmers, farmers’ groups, processors, and seed producers with cost-effective technologies that help reduce postharvest losses and maintain the quality of rice and seeds,” explained Mr. Martin Gummert, IRRI senior scientist and head of its Postharvest Unit.
“Working in partnership, including with the private sector,” he added, “allows us to reach end-users in a way we cannot do alone, thus helping enhance food security and improving livelihoods for rice farmers and consumers.”
Mr. Gummert’s group pilots improved storage of rice grains and seeds across Southeast Asia. The nonexclusive agreement with GrainPro in the Philippines will hopefully lead to other agreements and partnerships in the region.
GrainPro, Inc. is a private company engaged in the development, manufacture, and commercial distribution of airtight storage systems for rice and other crops.
Read More
The Philippines has long aimed for self-sufficiency in rice as the country works to overcome problems of limited land area for rice production, rising population, and in-adequate infrastructure for irrigation and transport of rice. Reeling from the Asian rice crisis of 2008 and driven by its desire to achieve rice sufficiency by 2012, the government, through the De-partment of Agriculture (DA), funded the project Accelerating Rice Sufficiency through Integrated Research, Training, and Extension (more commonly referred to as the Philippine Rice Self-Sufficiency Plan [PRSSP]) Read More
First acquisition of GrainPro Cocoons and SuperGrainbags in Zambia has been made by The Wildlife Society, a NGO focusing on sustainable agriculture for small scale farmers and thus preventing them from devastating forests to ensure the habitat of wild animals and plants. The initial results look promising and next year the GrainPro component in Wildlife's activities will be increased. For detailed info and pictures from the Wildlife website, please click: http://www.itswild.org/n0810/comaco-and-grainpro
