GrainPro agriculture storage systems now in Sri Lanka

Thursday, 4 August 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Devin Jayasundera

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.