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As has been discussed at length in Chapter 1, there are many reasons for storing food grains and also numerous types of storage facility available. For any given situation there is usually a choice of storage methods. Chapter 6 has described traditional types of storage used in developing countries, and also warehouses for the storage of bagged grain. This chapter concentrates on structures available for the storage of grain in bulk, where this is deemed most appropriate and economical in commercial grain handling systems.
Centralised bulk storage facilities which receive grain from farmers and safely store it for maybe 12 months or until it can be exported or disposed of domestically, provide a combination of strategic, commercial and buffer storages. Their essential purpose is nevertheless that of long-term operational storage in that they provide a buffer between harvest receivals and the markets or consumers of grain.
The type of store most suitable for a particular situation often depends on the purpose for which it is to be built.