Farmers have traditionally relied on their own methods to store grain after harvest, but these methods often have limitations and are not very efficient. While there’s been a focus on increasing crop yields, less attention has been paid to post-harvest losses, which can be as high as 30%. Reducing these losses can significantly improve household food security.
3E Organization, through their “CHAKULA CHETU AFYA YETU” project, has addressed this issue by introducing hermetic grain silos to women farmers in Marigat subcounty. Marigat’s warm climate makes it particularly susceptible to post-harvest losses from insects and pests like weevils. Hermetic storage technology has been proven to be very effective, reducing losses by almost 100%.
Initially, 3E saw a need to improve household food security by providing grain storage solutions. Many farmers were forced to sell most of their harvest right after harvesting due to fear of spoilage, then buying smaller quantities throughout the year for consumption. The hermetic storage technology is a game-changer. These silos, with a capacity of four 90kg bags, work by limiting oxygen flow between the atmosphere and the stored grain. Once sealed, the air and moisture content remain constant inside the silo. Due to the lack of oxygen, insects and microorganisms die before they can consume the grains.
The women who received the silos were very happy, seeing them as a solution to a major household challenge. 3E distributed 100 silos to 100 women in Baringo subcounty, all of whom had been trained in regenerative agriculture and health and nutrition. Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock officials present at the distribution meeting emphasized the importance of the silos in combating post-harvest losses and enabling longer grain storage. They encouraged the women to follow the storage instructions to maximize the benefits of this technology. The women were excited about the silos, and we hope they will see significant improvements in their food security.
3E is committed to empowering rural communities through innovative and sustainable approaches that provide seamless and long-term solutions to their everyday challenges.
