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November 29, 2023   
China's Grain Loss in Granaries Essentially Eliminated, Farmers' Grain Storage Loss Reduced to 3%

Grain Loss;Grain Security Project;Granaries;PHLM & Food Systems

Recently, at a press briefing held during the National Post-Harvest Grain Saving and Loss Reduction Work Promotion Meeting, the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration of China announced that the loss of grain stored in granaries has been essentially eliminated, with the comprehensive loss rate during the grain storage period controlled within 1%.

China has strengthened technological innovation and adopted multiple measures to make significant progress in post-harvest grain saving and loss reduction. Recent surveys indicate that the grain storage loss rate among Chinese farmers has dropped from 8% a decade ago to about 3%. China has implemented the Grain Security Project and Intelligent Upgrade and Renovation of Granaries among others, vigorously enhancing the construction of storage and logistics facilities. The condition of China's grain storage facilities continues to improve and upgrade. The National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration has deeply implemented the Green Grain Storage Enhancement Action, strengthening the construction of high-standard grain warehouses, promoting the upgrade and renovation of old warehouses, further improving key performances such as airtightness and insulation of grain warehouses, and guiding the localized application of advanced and suitable green grain storage technologies.

Nearly 700 million tons of high standard warehouse capacity is available nationwide, with the "four-in-one" grain storage technology (grain condition monitoring and control, mechanical ventilation, circulation fumigation, and grain cooling) being widely applied in state-owned granaries. The country has achieved low and near-low temperature grain storage capacity of 180 million tons, and controlled atmosphere grain storage capacity exceeds 46 million tons. The application ratio of green grain storage technologies such as temperature control, controlled atmosphere (nitrogen) storage, internal circulation, and integrated pest management continues to rise.

Farmers' Grain Storage Loss Reduced to 3%

Through the implementation of a special project for scientific grain storage among farmers, a total of 10 million sets of scientific grain storage equipment have been distributed to farmers nationwide. Local areas have strengthened technical training and services, actively carrying out scientific publicity and promotion around saving grain and reducing losses, thereby continually enhancing farmers' awareness of scientific grain storage. The latest survey shows that the grain storage loss rate among Chinese farmers has decreased from 8% 10 years ago to about 3%.

Since 2017, more than 5,500 post-harvest grain service centers have been built nationwide, achieving full coverage of post-harvest services in major grain-producing counties. These centers provide services to farmers such as cleaning, drying, storage, and processing, promoting grain upgrades and reducing grain losses. During the summer and autumn grain purchasing periods, the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration closely monitors weather changes across regions, strengthens dispatch and guidance, fully leverages the role of local post-harvest grain service centers, and timely carries out services such as grain drying and cleaning to effectively reduce post-harvest grain losses and mold, thus providing strong support for ensuring that "every grain returns to the barn."

According to surveys, in 2022, national post-harvest service centers served more than 17 million farming households, cleaned 160 million tons of grain, dried over 45 million tons of grain, and helped farmers reduce grain losses by more than 12 million tons, playing a significant role in helping farmers reduce losses and increase income.


Sources:

China News Agency

Guangming Daily