Tanzania firm makes bags that kill pests

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Agroz Company has introduced reusable bags that can help farmers store their grains for as long as one year without the risk of pest infestation. The firm's sales and marketing manager Bhubhinder Singh said the bags are specifically made to resist pests and maintain its moisture. The new multilayer hermetic storage bags, which cost Sh250 each, also preserve quality and quantity of grains and prevent weight loss throughout storage.

Singh was speaking during training for farmers and agricultural officers in Bomet town last Friday. He said if farmers use the bags, they will definitely pay less to buy chemicals to fumigate. "The bags contain several layers of different types of carefully chosen plastic derivatives. They have an inner liner of multilayer with an outer woven bag. The multilayer provides an impermeable barrier to gasses exchange and also makes it water-resistant," Singh said.

"Pests in harvested grains are killed through asphyxiation and dehydration within a few days after the bags are closed." Sigh said the bags can be used to store maize, dry beans and cowpeas grains.