Eco-friendly pest control, reduced chemical use, temperature and humidity management — 15th Five-Year Plan technologies are transforming grain storage

As reported by CCTV+, on Monday, China’s National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration released 132 scientific and technological achievements in grain procurement, distribution and eco-friendly storage, aimed at strengthening the country’s food security.

The achievements include integrated green grain storage, unmanned grain transport vehicles, inspection robots and nitrogen-based grain storage technology.

Some advanced storage technologies have already been fully implemented in central China’s Hubei Province, showing impressive results. In Xiaogan City, a grain storage facility of Hubei Reserved Grain and Oil Management Group Co., Ltd., currently storing 50,000 tons of rice and 20,000 tons of wheat, has been modernised to ensure airtightness, allowing nitrogen to be used for insect control at normal pressure and specific humidity.

Liu Xiang, head of Xiaogan Reserve Depot Co., Ltd., explained: “By controlling the temperature and oxygen concentration inside the grain silos, we can achieve eco-friendly pest control, reduce the use of chemicals, and achieve the goals of preventing insects, regulating temperature and preserving grain quality.”

In recent years, China has stepped up its efforts in grain storage technology research, development and application. A range of advanced, practical storage technologies and equipment have already been introduced, providing powerful and effective technological support for food security.

On Monday, a national science and technology week dedicated to grain and strategic reserves kicked off in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province. At the opening ceremony, Han Jizhi, director of the safe storage and technology department of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, outlined China’s technological innovation priorities for grain security during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

“During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, our key priorities include developing green and low-carbon grain storage facilities, ensuring quality and safety for nutrition and health, reducing grain losses and waste, and promoting agricultural machinery and equipment. We are committed to deepening integration between enterprises and research institutes. By unblocking the channels for basic research, applied development and commercialisation of scientific achievements, we can better harness the potential of science and technology to protect the country’s grain reserves,” Han said.

Note: Nitrogen-based grain storage technology creates an airtight environment with controlled oxygen levels, preventing insect and mould growth without the use of chemical pesticides.

70,000 tons of rice and wheat — protected by nitrogen and robots. China is not just building granaries. It is turning them into high-tech laboratories. Unmanned vehicles carry grain, inspection robots check quality, and nitrogen replaces chemical pesticides. Eco-friendly, cheap, effective. 132 scientific achievements are not a report. They are weapons in the battle for food security. The question is not whether China will feed its people. It will. The question is when other countries will start copying these technologies. While they fight granary pests the old-fashioned way, China is already breathing nitrogen. And the grain stays fresh longer. Which means the country stays fed.