How Save Grain Bags Are Changing the Preservation Way for Farmers
September 4, 2025
Views : 549
If you have ever watched a season's work go to waste from weevils, mold, or moisture fluctuations, you know how important better on-farm storage is.
For good reason!
The good news is that modern save grain bags--a category of hermetic, multi-layer storage bags--are now available.
They are helping both small and large producers keep cereals and pulses market-ready for months with very little loss and often without regular pesticide application.
Field studies, development programs have shown lower insect damage, less weight loss, and improved grain quality when hermetic solutions are applied correctly.
What are the save grain bags?
Save grain bags are heavy-duty, usually triple-layer "hermetic" (air-tight) liners held within a protective woven sleeve.
Once the bags have been filled and sealed correctly, the bag creates a micro-environment with very little oxygen.
Insects and their eggs cannot survive inside, mould growth is slowed or stopped, and the quality of your grain stabilises- and all without regular application of chemicals to fumigate.
The PICS project, led by Purdue University and others in the industry, has made this method very popular in many countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Also, it is relatively inexpensive, easy to train, and on-demand scalable at the household or farm-gate.
How the science works
- Hermetic sealing will slow respiration, insects will use up the available oxygen, the CO₂ levels will build until the pests are suppressed.
- If the grain is stored when it is dry enough to hermetically seal the bag, studies have shown significant reductions in both insect damage and weight loss compared to traditional bags.
Hermetic grain bags vs. traditional grain storage
Traditional woven sacks allow both moisture and insects to flow in and out because they "breathe." Therefore, even if farmers dry their grain before storage, they will still experience losses. Numerous independent studies show that hermetic grain bags will keep insect damage and weight loss much lower than traditional woven grain sacks. In two research projects and field deployments of GrainPro-type bags (first for the maximum of 125 bags) and PICS bags compared to commercial losses for unsealed storage, insect counts were near zero, and weight losses were approximately ~0–2% as opposed to considerably higher weight losses with traditional grain storage. In the one study comparison, Mozambique, the damaged grain and weight loss under hermetic grain storage was capped at ~3.24% and ~1.62% respectively, compared to the traditional bag's losses of ~6.98% and ~5.56%. More recent meta analyses and experiments did not disprove that hermetic bags do maintain moisture and grain quality over multiple cycles of storage better than conventional woven sacks.
Benefits Farmers Really Notice
1) Reduced Grain Loss
Each year, farmers lose a lot of their harvest because of storage issues. With safe grain bags, these losses are reduced a lot. Many farmers talk about their crop being preserved, nearly untouched, even after months of storage.
2) Less Pesticide Usage
With the air-tight environment that promotes suppression of insects, farmers are not forced to use chemical insecticides. The grain becomes much safer to eat and more attractive for buyers.
3) Longer Shelf Life
Grain stored in grain bags stays fresh for months, even through seasonal temperature changes. By using grain bags, farmers have the liberty to sell later in the season when local market prices are higher.
4) Better Seed Quality
Seeds stored in hermetic bags keep higher rates of germination. This means farmers are not concerned about using their grain later for planting.
5) Flexible and Cost Effective
Unlike big silos or facilities, save grain bags do not require a lot of infrastructure investment to be effective for farmers. Farmers can make use of save grain bags directly in fields, villages, or homes. They are portable, affordable, and scalable to suit the size of any harvest.
Properly Using Grain Bags
Grain bags utilize a simple method but there are a few small things to keep in mind to achieve optimum results. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Dried Grain
Moisture is the number one cause of stored crop spoilage, Your final step before filling the bag is to ensure the grain is dried to the recommended safe moisture contents (recommended moisture levels are often 12 - 14% moisture depending on crop).
2. Clean Harvest
Dust, husks, and broken kernels should all be removed prior to storage. Even small pieces of material are enough for pests to enter grain or enable hotspot locations causing a problem that could spoil the entire harvest. Any step to clean your harvest (cleaning sieve, winnowing etc.) will help improve storage quality.
3. Fill and Seal Correctly
Make sure the bags are not filled too full, so you have room at the top of the bag for securing the end (no air leaking in small openings).
Use the recommended sealing option (twist and fold, tie with rope or clip).
Make absolutely sure that no air can get in; small, leaking holes compromise performance of the bag.
4. Store off ground
Store the sealed bag on a wooden pallet, bamboo frame, or appropriate platform elevated off the ground. Storing the bag off the ground helps to avoid:
- Soil moisture development and contact.
- Rodent entry.
- Sharp points puncturing the bag.
- Avoid stacking the bags entirely too close to walls, where condensation or moisture development might occur.
5. Treat with Respect
The inner liner is flimsy. The outer layer can protect it, but sharp or pointed objects and rough handli9ng will puncture things. Always handle the bags with care and keep clear of nails, thorns, and wire fencing.
6. Do Not Open Often
When you open a bag, you disrupt the low-oxygen environment, which is designed to protect the harvest from spoilage or pests. If you plan to use grain frequently, rather than putting the harvest into one large bag, it is better to pack it into several smaller bags. This allows you to open the amount you need and leave the rest sealed and protected.
Mistakes to Avoid and Save Grain Bags
Even with the best technology, you can still have failures if you don't use it properly. Here are the common mistakes we see farmers make:
1. Sealing Wet Grain
If the grain is not dried properly before sealing, moisture will be trapped inside the bag. The bag will not protect the harvest, but rather cause mold and spoilage.
2. Rough Handling
You can puncture the inner liner if you drag bags across the ground or laying it on a rough. Even the smallest hole allows air and insects to enter, which destroys the hermetic seal.
3. Overfilling the bag
Packing too much grain into a bag causes difficulties in sealing, and decreases the sealing area. If your bags do not seal properly, they will allow air to enter. Make sure to have space at the top to seal.
4. Reusing Damaged Liners
Some farmers attempt to reuse a liner that has a small hole or tears to it. This represents a significant reduction in protection. If the inside bag(s) look damaged, consider getting new liner(s) before the next growing season. The outer woven sleeve may be reused if it is not damaged, but liners must always be inspected.
5. Storing bags directly on the floor
Storage of grain bags directly on the floor invites moisture, pest infestations, and potential destruction of bags. Always use a raised surface or pallet.
Why Are Farmers Switching?
Farmers across the globe are making the switch to save grain bags. Many are low cost, practical and have been proven to work. They allow farmers to safely store grain and sell it at their "best" price instead of being forced to sell immediately after harvest. In the long run, this means higher profits for the farmer, less waste and a more stable food supply.
Final Thoughts
Post harvest loss has plagued farmers for generations, and until recently very few solutions were available.
Save grain bags are changing that by providing farmers with a reliable, effective, no-chemical, and affordable opportunity to store their harvests to keep it in on-farm storage.
With better storage available for crops, and less loss of valuable crops, as well as farmers being able to hang onto crops until they get a better price, save grain bags are already being considered an essential tool for farming today.
If your farming operation is considering implementing best grain storage management practices, please reach out to the GDIPL team, and we can work together to determine the best option for your farm!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The oxygen-free environment will control insects naturally without chemical pesticides.
Grain can typically be stored for several months without any problems if it is dry and the bags remain sealed.
The grain should be adequately dried and kept at the time of sealing, usually at safe storage levels recommended for each crop.
Yes, but opening the bag often will lessen the effectiveness of the system. It might be advisable to use smaller bags if you are needing to take grain out frequently.
If the outer layer stays intact, it is possible to re-use the bag. The inner liners should be examined carefully and if damaged should be disposed of.
Absolutely. Save grain bags is an economical tool to use and saves enough loss many times more than its value.
Why Agricultural Bags Are Essential for Modern Farming
Previous PostHDPE Bags Market Insights: Supply, Demand, and Future Growth
Next Post