Vestergaard Grain bag- VITANOVA
Almost 25% of food grain is spoiled during storage in India. Most current storage solutions are capital intensive and hard to implement in a short time span. The client wanted to create a pesticide-treated grain storage solution that could be implemented with their existing production line. The budget could not exceed more than 50 cents per bag. Through the use of a low cost solution we aim to significantly reduce this wastage. The project brief was to design a low cost solution in the form of a new storage, which would reduce this wastage significantly.
After several user-testing rounds, the team sent their final design to the factory for production. Members of the team visited Vestergaard’s factory in Vietnam where they were exposed to international working techniques.The final design was presented by DFI at the 6th India International Design Innovation and User Experience conference held at IIM, Bangalore, where it bagged the runners-up title in the academic showcase.
Primary research showed the following as the major design requirements to decrease grain wastage:
- Insects should not enter the storage container and the ones already present inside (due to wrong post harvesting and transportation practices) should be eliminated- mortality of the insects should be as high as possible.
- Bag should be easy to handle, thus negating the need for hooks which lead to destruction of the bags and are a major access point for insects to the grain.
- Humidity needs to be reducedas it is considered to be the reason of theinsect’s growth
- Bag needs to be water resistant as lot of storage is done outside, due to lack of proper indoor storage infrastructure facilities in India.
- Ease of sampling should be provided, this should not expose the grain to fresh threats.
- Cost should not exceed the current jute bag.
- Bag needs to durable, which can last for at least 2 crop sessions.
The grain storage sack is been designed taking polypropylene as the base material which incorporates an insecticide treatment in the material of the bag to prevent stored grains from being infected by insect pests. Following are the main design features.
Baffle: Through the use of an innovative baffle (also treated with insecticide) in the bag, the grain poured into the bag gets separated into two compartments which allows for the maximization for the impact of the treatment. The baffle is designed in such a way that it will lead to almost equal separation, instead of different grain pouring exercises throughout the county. The time to fill and empty the bag with baffle, is also taken into consideration.
Innovative cost-saving techniques are designed to manufacture,incorporateand stitch the baffle to the storage sack.
Handles: Handles incorporated in the bag negate the need for hooks that lead to the destruction of the bags, and are a major access point for insects to the grain.The handle is in the form of liner strip provided at the end of the bag. A single stitch closes this end (while manufacturing the bag) and attaches the handle as well. The handles are ergonomically designed to assist in maneuvering the bag in the existing scenario and serve as the place to grab for pulling and alignment. Handles also make it easier for the laborer, who earlier had to transport the bags on his back.
Transparent bands: The bag is also kept transparent on both side, this helps the user to visually test the grain inside, instead of opening (as done in the current practices) which contaminates the grains by allowing an entry point to the insects.
Anti-slip weave and water tight skin: Anti-slip weave leads to stack-ability which is a major cause of polypropylene not being commonly used. A water light skin of polypropylene sheet is also provided inside the weave to restrict moisture-intake.