Science and Technology Daily:

Grain storage and preservation in a scientific manner are important protections to ensure grain quantity and safety and are also the inherent requirements of effectively managing the granary of a big country. At present, what is the developing status of China's grain storage technology? What breakthroughs have been made in green grain storage and technological grain preservation? Thank you.

Huang Wei:

Thank you for your question. Using scientific and technological means to store and manage stable grain is the key to food security. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China's modernization in grain storage facilities has been continuously improved, and our country's grain storage technology is globally advanced. Grain storage is leaping from "safe grain storage" to the stage of "green and high-quality storage." In response to your question, I would like to introduce China's technological progress in grain storage in recent years.

The first is the "four-in-one" grain storage technology. The "four-in-one" grain storage technology refers to grain situation monitoring, mechanical ventilation, circulation fumigation, and cereal cooling, which are the standard protocol for grain storage in state-owned grain warehouses.

The second is temperature-controlled grain storage. The application of technologies such as shallow geothermal energy low-temperature grain storage and internal circulation temperature control can realize low-temperature and quasi-low-temperature grain storage that will prevent the grain from going bad and can also effectively reduce grain loss, especially ensure grain quality. At present, the nationwide capacity of temperature-controlled grain storage has exceeded 100 million metric tons.

The third is the controlled atmosphere grain storage. By filling nitrogen or carbon dioxide into well-airtight confined granaries or film-covered grain piles, a low-oxygen environment is created to delay grain deterioration. At present, there are storage units with 35 million metric tons of capacity in China that have adopted the controlled atmosphere technology.

The fourth is horizontal ventilation. The ventilation channel is installed on the walls of grain warehouses so that the airflow can pass through the grain pile horizontally, reducing drops in quality caused by water loss because of ventilation. The grain moisture loss varies according to ventilation conditions, so this kind of technology is used to solve the problem.

The fifth is information technology. Through the application of information technology such as radio frequency, new sensors, and remote monitoring, the real-time monitoring of the grain situation in the granary is realized. Sometimes the temperature of the grain rises, and worms will surface. If there is a failure to find them in time, the grain cannot be processed in a timely manner. The application of electronic technology is also conducive to the storage of grain.

The sixth is insect and mildew control. In addition to the traditional light trapping equipment for grain pests, there are now many inert powders and biological agents that can effectively reduce stored grain pests. Some new technologies have not yet been put into use. We will upgrade the press on the latest development. Thank you.