Storage is definitely an important marketing function and the major function it has is to hold and preserve goods from the time they are produced till the time they are ready to be sent to the market. Also, the storage of goods here is a continuous flow from the time of production till the time of consumption.
Getting better storage and warehouse service is thus necessary because it needs to protect the quality of those perishable and semi-perishable items from getting deteriorated. Storage is very much needed for both raw materials and cold storages.
Types Of Storages
When we are talking about warehouses and storages there are actually different types of it:
Underground Storage Structures
These structures are also known as the dugout structures because they are similar to a well with sides plastered properly. They are mostly rectangular or circular shaped. The capacity of them holding things depends totally on the size. The major advantages of an underground storage structure is that they are much safer than any sort of external damage like rains and winds. One can store food grains here to keep them safe.
Surface Storage Structures
Foodgrains can be stored in ground surface structures in 2 ways. There can either be bag storage or there can be bulk storage. When it comes to bag storages these bags store a definite quantity which can be stored and then dispatched and sold when it is necessary. These are hassle-free storages. They are also easy to load and unload. Sometimes if the bags are found to be infested then they can easily be removed. When it comes to bulk or loose storage then they can be easily exposed to a peripheral area. The danger of the damage from external sources is reduced here and the pest infestation is also less because of the airtight conditions in which they are preserved in deeper layers.
Currently, the Government of India has pledged and are making efforts in improving the storage facilities at the farm level. For small scale storages there is the PAU bin. It is a galvanised metal iron structure and the capacity of it ranges from 1.5 to 15 quintals. This is a kind of a storage which is made from bricks or muds with a polythene film embedded within the walls.
There is Hapur Tekka as well which is a cylindrical yet rubberised cloth structure on a metal tube and is supported by bamboo poles.
Large Scale Storages
In case of a large-scale storage, there are constructions of brick pillars which are almost 14 inches from the ground and they are grooved into wooden crates. Here, one can stack bags of foodgrains for at least 3 weeks. This is the most economical way to store grains in large scales.One has to enlist Agri warehouse online and to check how many warehouses are allotted in the country for agricultural storage. Improving the condition of them is primary so that there are no crop and foodgrain loss. This can be helpful for both small and big farmers.
