Jiangsu makes strides in grain storage with various technologies

2022-08-17 15:57:00

Advanced equipment and new technologies such as 3D modelling to predict grain temperature and nitrogen-controlled atmosphere in grain storage have been applied to improve grain quality management in East China’s Jiangsu Province, which reaped a bumper summer harvest but also got hit by summer heat waves recently.

China Grain Reserves Group (Sinograin) Nanjing Depot

China Grain Reserves Group (Sinograin) Nanjing Depot has ensured temperatures of less than 25°C at silos and average temperatures at less than 20°C for grain piles. Temperature control plays a key role in delaying deterioration of grain quality, controlling pests, and curbing fungi, according to Xu Tao, a grain keeper of Sinograin Nanjing Depot.

The silos are also equipped with a cloud-based smart management system mainly relying on the Internet of Things technology. The system collects data from sensors, temperature controllers, and other devices, and automatically control the lighting, air-conditioners and fans for preferred results.

Inside the silo of China Grain Reserves Group (Sinograin) Nanjing Depot

Sinograin Xuzhou Depot has updated its nitrogen-controlled atmosphere for grain storage this year. This approach involves introducing a high concentration of nitrogen to reduce the oxygen level in order to control insects and fungi. Grain keeper Chen Shuo said, compared with traditional chemical methods, the new way can avoid residues of chemicals, minimize environmental pollution, and save the chemical cost of more than 100,000 yuan a year.

In Zhangjiagang City, Shazhou Depot launched an online insect pest monitoring system for grain piles, allowing staff members to quickly and easily analyze infestations remotely. The depot has also used a real-time monitoring system to perform early detection of fungi by looking at concentrations of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Yang Xiangyang, deputy director of the Institute of Food Economics at Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, said that Jiangsu has made distinctive achievements in applying sci-tech methods for grain storage. He also called for more efforts to support state-owned enterprises to expand such endeavors to reduce cost and improve efficiency.