UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING

FEB 540: ENGINEERING PROJECT DESIGN
2014/2015 ACADEMIC YEAR

CONCEPT NOTE

DESIGN OF A GRAIN STORAGE UNIT IN NYADIANGA VILLAGE

COMPILED BY
: POLYCARP OMONDI ORINDE
REGISTRATION No. : F21/1728/2010
SIGN ...

SUPERVISOR
:
SUBMITTED TO
:
SUBMISSION DATE :

Eng. Dr. Mbuge

ENG. ALBERT INIMA
10th October 2014

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Biosystems Engineering of

INTRODUCTION
The population of the world is ever on the increase and thus food production should be increased
to meet the rising demand. But this will not be achieved if post-harvest losses of the produce
scale up to 30%.

Traditional storage practices in developing countries cannot guarantee

protection against major storage pests and pathogens. Food insecurity, low income, low yields
are some of the resultant problems. It is thus necessary to develop alternative methods for grain
storage if we are to improve the wellbeing of rural dwellers.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM AND PROBLEM ANALYSIS
There is lack of sufficient and effective grain storage facilities in Nyadianga village. The
traditional methods deployed have resulted in consequent problems such as;

Lack of viable seeds for next planting

Loss of grain due to pests and pathogens
Low income from agricultural produce
Food insecurity in the region

Grain viability and germination is dependent on the methods of storage. Storing rains using
traditional methods lowers the viability and germination of grains thus reducing greatly the crop
yields for next planting season.
It is, therefore, timely to consider how to minimize postharvest food losses, and eventually
improve the human well-being of the people of Nyadianga.
SITE ANALYSIS AND INVENTORY
The project is located in Nyadianga village in Alego Usonga Constituency in south South west
West Alego, Siaya County.
OBJECTIVES
Main objectives
To Design of a grain handling facility and related amenities for nyadianga village
Specific objective

1. Design and constructTo make a structural design for a grain storage facility that can store
up to 200 bags of grain for the next 30 years.
2. Design To design a ventilation system that regulates the temperature and humidity of the
facility
3. Design To design an office area for the facility
4. Design To design a testing and receiving area for the facility
LITERATURE REVIEW
The various grain storage system types include Silos, Grain storage bags, Sheds & bunker, and
traditional methods like granaries, sisal sacks kept in living rooms, hanging over fire places.
Comparative analysis of these systems have been done to determine the most suitable system.
Project Layout & Main Components
The project will involve the design and construction of a structure that is to be portioned into;
1. A grain store with a controlled environment, temperature and humidity
2. An office for administration of the facility
3. A grain reception, testing and handling area
Alternative Design
The alternatives design would the design of a metal silo storage with an adjacent office and grain
reception and testing area.
EXPECTED RESULTS
The expected results include;

Decreased grain storage losses

Postponed sales of surplus grain realizing higher grain prices thus higher profits
Increased credit rating for farmers as grain is available as collateral
Increased household food security
Increased and more stable grain production meeting demands as viability is preserved
Greater stability of grain prices and more reliable grain supply
Creation of Employment in the grain store and business opportunities for traders
Increased income generation among farmers stimulating rural development

References

1. Pats P A Survey on maize and potato storage in Kenya with particular reference to post
harvest losses caused by insects. http://www.sII..bibul.slu.se, 1985
2. Nduku, Tabitha Mab., De Groote, Hugoa and Nzuma, Jonathan, M.b
Comparative Analysis of Maize Storage Structures in Kenya Contributed paper
prepared for submission to the 4th Conference of the African Association of
Agricultural Economists (AAAE), 22-25 September 2013, Tunisia
3. Hodges, R.J., Buzby, J.C., Bennet, B., (2011). Postharvest Losses and Waste
in Developed and Less Developed Countries: Opportunities to Improve
Resource Use. Journal of Agricultural Science, Date, issue no, etc.