Mrs. S.P.Joshi,
Kumkum Food Products Ltd.

Since man started cultivation of crops and started to store it, from the 'Vedic Age' (6000 B. C.) man knew different crops and grains. The information about the use of different fertilizers increasing the yield was known in the vedic age. Agronomy was properly developed in the vedic age. 'Prithi Vainya' was the first agronomist who explained about agronomy. He experimented and explained that with the help of agronomy if the crops were produced the yield of crops would increase.

The knowledge of storing grains in different types of bins or granaries as well as in underground godowns, which stored it for longer period, was known from vedic age. Till today such types of granaries can be seen in our villages. To build these bins, various types of material were used from the ages. It included wood, cane, hay, cow-dung and clay.

During 2000 B. C. Aryan people settled in different colonies, town, cities, etc. It is found that in such towns hoards of grains were seen in common granary. That food distribution system must have been adopted by the people of Harrapa and Mohen-jo-daro is highlighted by the evidence of granaries.

During the Mahabharat period, as per the evidence, the science of storing of crops/ seeds for three years must have been certainly available.

In the latter period, the grains were stored in different types of bins manufactured and till date the farmer is storing the grains in his bins, in the same manner.

In the moghul reign the usefulness of granaries became evident. During the famine 'Saint Damaji' opened the granary of the 'Sultan' for the poor, hungry citizens.

Then due to muslim onset the importance of forts was considerably increased. Each fort became an individual small township. Each fort was trying to keep maximum stock of ammunition and food grains. The strength of the fort was directly proportional to the hoard/stock of grains in the fort. The remnants of ammunition stores as well as grain stores can be seen in the forts even today.

In the modern period the bin, which is also known as 'Silo', temperature of grains, humidity, life cycle of insects, chances of reproduction etc. are checked properly and destroyed with the help of different techniques.

During 1000 B.C. different methods of food preservation were adopted viz drying, smoking, curing, salting, osmosis, fermentation, freezing etc. all these methods were used individually or collectively in combination with two methods. 'Due to these techniques the shelf-life of product increases' was known to the people of olden times. The references/contents of such preservation techniques are found in ancient books. The important thing, in 21st century, besides a few new techniques, all ancient food preservation techniques are also in use.