Tag: whose forests?

• Insects in stored grain can cause much damage. The farmer may lose up to a third of the stored grain. 
• Large scale storage of grains is done in silos and granaries to protect them from pests like rats and insects.

• Storage of food crops is an important step of agricultural practices as harvesting because if the grains are not stored properly it may get spoilt or attacked by insects or rats or microorganisms. 
• Large scale storage of grains is done in granaries or silo. Farmers store their dried grains in jute bags or metallic bins. 

Heating of stored grains results due to the high moisture content in the grains. The grains heat up the water content present in the grain due to thier pre existing temperature which attracts more moisture leading to the growth of microbes in the grains or germinate the seeds thus destroying the yield. 

Most important aspect of agriculture is proper storage of harvested grains and other agricultural produce. Proper storage is necessary to get seasonal foods regularly throughout the year. The godowns and stores should be properly clean, storage bags should be fumigated or treated with insecticides or pesticides. In India, the loss due to improper storage of grains is about 9% annually. So, the correct answer is 'All of the above'.

Food can be spoiled when temperatures are not controlled because high temperature give way for the growth of bacteria and excessive heat increases the rate of enzyme reactions. Exposing food to clod temperature also damages the food.

Neem oil is mainly used to prevent the pests at home. Neem leaves help in stopping the growth of pests. It kills larvae and locusts at homes. Mosquitos die when neem extract is sprayed.

The grains are stored in huge stores and warehouses. These stores and warehouses should be regularly and strictly cleaned, disinfected and kept dry to avoid ants, insects, worms or rodents infestations and keep the grains safe and hygienic for consumption at any time. There should be proper space or be disjoining between the grain sacks for fumigation and regular inspection of the grains The grains are stored in mass scale in huge chambers called silos. the silos have a proper outlet to withdraw the desired quantity of grains.The silos have built-in arrangements for aeration, fumigation, protection from rodents, insects and bird etc. Thus all three options strict cleaning, proper disjoining and fumigation is equally important for the storage of grains.

If the freshly harvested grains are not dried, it might contain moisture and moisture provide growth media for various organisms like molds. Drying will delay the spoilage of the grains.
Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Aspergillus consists of several hundred mould species found in various climates worldwide. Aspergillus is highly aerobic and are found in almost all oxygen rich environments. The storage grain produces aflatoxin due to growth of Aspergillus which can cause acute liver damage and cancer.