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Bamboo-reinforced Bins for Product Preservation

M. A. Ashraf
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Farm Structure, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. M. Dad
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Farm Structure, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. N. Hoque
Professor
Dept. of Farm Structure, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

R. Torisu
Professor
Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, Iwate University, Morioka 020, Japan

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

It is one of the burning issues in the developing countries of Asia, specially in Bangladesh to improve the rural storage system so that millions tons of grains can be saved every year. Therefore, an attempt has been made to develop a durable and easily fabricable storage bin which will provide reduction in storage loss and minimum cost. Two bins having a capacity of 250 kg rough rice in each were constructed, where one with 'moral' bamboo strips reinforcement and the other with wire-mesh reinforcement. After eighteen months of storing rice both the structures were found good enough regarding the durability, resistant to rodent and insects attack and quality of stored rice. The germination rate of stored rice was above 80% after six months of storage and the edibility of rice was in optimum condition upto 18 months. The overall cost of bamboo reinforced storage bin was much lower than those of steel reinforced ferrocement bin and other traditional storage structures like, dole, berh, gola, etc. The storage loss was found only 4% after 18 months of storage which was also lower than those of other traditional storage structures.

Keywords: Bamboo reinforcement, Steel reinforcement, Ferrocement, Storage bin

Location: Material Testing Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Bamboo

Objectives:

To develop a 'dole' shaped durable, rodents and insects proof bamboo reinforced grain storage bin
To compare the same with a wire mesh reinforced ferrocement bin.

Methodology:

Considering the storage requirements of a middle class farmers' family two types of circular storage bins were designed for storing 250 kg rough rice in each which were 90 cm in height and 70 cm in diameter. The bins were constructed at Material Testing Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University. One bin was constructed with bamboo strip reinforcement and the other with wire mesh reinforcement applying the ferrocement technology in both cases. The bamboo mesh was prepared by 1 mm thick bamboo strip and a 'dole' shape was given with this mesh which was covered with cement mortar of proportion 1:2 both from inner and outer sides so that the wall thickness of the bin became around 12.5 mm. Accordingly it was cured for 7 days by covering with wetted gunny bags. A cover plate was constructed in the same manner. The construction procedure of the other bin was similar to this one except the use of wire mesh in place of bamboo strips mesh. The strength of the bamboo reinforced bin wall was determined on similar sheet making separately after seven days cunng. BR11 rice was stored in the newly constructed two storage bins. The ambient temperature, moisture content and germination rate of grains were determined prior storing. Temperature of grain at different depths of storage bins was recorded daily by a metallic probe with digital thermometer. The moisture content and viability of stored rice were determined at 15 days interval. The test samples were collected by a sampler from two predetermined depths. The study of the taste quality of stored rice was started after six months of its storage. The rice collected from the bins at every month was processed and cooked. Different categories of people were fed that rice. Taste quality was determined on the basis of their judgment. Similarly odour and colour of rice were judged by different categories of people at every month. The losses were estimated after 18 months of storage. Comparison of the annual cost of ferrocement storage bin, bamboo reinforced storage bin and other traditional storage structures like dole, berh, gola, etc. were made depending on the typical cost of materials of the storage structures and local labours for a storage capacity of 250 kg rice. The cost analysis was done. The expected life of bamboo reinforced bin was considered as 25 years. The costs of the bamboo strip reinforced bin and wire mesh reinforced ferrocement bin were estimated.

Source of Information: BANGLADESH SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURE ENGINEERS, Vol-1, pp. 322-326, December 15-17, 1997

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The experimental storage bin is durable on the basis of strength and environmental conditions. Rice can be stored in this storage bin upto six months for seeds and 18 months for consumption purposes as a quality product. The annual cost of the storage bin is 20 to 45 per cent lower than those of wire- mesh reinforced ferrocement storage bin and other traditional storage structures. The storage loss 4% is much lower than that of other traditional storage structures.

Knowledge Management: Journal