By Bob Aston
November 18, 2015
Laikipia County achieved a key milestone as A to Z group in collaboration with
Cereal Growers Association (CGA) and Laikipia County Government launched AgroZ
bag at Thompson Falls Lodge in Nyahururu.
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| Mr Bhubhinder Singh launching agro Z bags |
Laikipia County
Agriculture Director Mrs. Elizabeth Mwangi and Laikipia West Sub County
Agriculture officer graced the launch. Others included Ward Agriculture
officers drawn from the six wards of Laikipia West Sub County, Laikipia Maize
Value Chain Development Network, Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), and
farmer representatives.
Speaking during the
launch, AgroZ Group Marketing and Sales Manager Mr. Bhubhinder Singh noted that
Post-harvest losses of grains and pulses are extensive and a major threat to
food security in the Country.
He said that the hermetic
bags kills insects and preserves farm produce for three seasons. He noted that
the water-resistant and gastight storage solution is ideal for grains and
pulses like maize, dry beans, peas, rice, sorghum, millet, soybeans, seeds,
wheat, cocoa, and coffee.
He noted that bag has an
inner multilayer polyethylene (PE) liner of five barrier layers and an outer
woven polypropylene (PP) raffia sack.
“The hermetic bag can
store commodities for a long period of over a year without the risks of
moisture gain or loss, insect pest infestation and fungal growth,” said Mr.
Bhubhinder.
He added that bag
deprives insects of oxygen that kills them and stops mold growth, preventing
food losses and aflatoxin contamination.
Other benefits of the
AgroZ bag include prevents post-harvest losses from insect pests, no fumigation
or chemical application required, effective against all insect storage pests,
reusable for up to 3 seasons, and no loss of weight during storage.
He said that farmers have
to ensure that the inner liner is not holed or damaged when acquiring it or
before use. During storage, it is
advisable to remove all air pockets from the top of the grain then twisting the
remaining part of the inner liner and after that bending it using the provided
smooth tie.
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| participants being shown how to twist agro Z bag |
The final step is to
close the outer polypropylene (PP) bag and store in a dry cool place for at
least one month before opening it in order to ensure suffocation of any insects
introduced in the grain.
“The eco-friendly and
pesticide-free hermetic storage bag preserves the quality and germination
capacity of stored grains. It is ideal in preventing aflatoxin accumulation
during storage,” said Mr. Bhubhinder.
He noted that the bags
would help farmers reduce the high cost of chemicals used in preserving
cereals. Transglobal Distributors Ltd. is distributing the AgroZ bag. Each is
retailing at Kshs 250.
