The National Fund for Agricultural Cooperation organizes a meeting on the dangers associated with storage in silos – Algerian Dialogue

The same source explained that this meeting took place at the National Army Club in Beni Messous, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Directors-General of the Algerian Professional Office of Cereals and the National Fund for Agricultural Cooperation, in addition to the frameworks of the cooperatives of grains and dry legumes and mutual aid.

The same statement indicated that this meeting aims to “inform and raise awareness about the current situation of storage facilities and talk about preventive measures against various types of dangers and losses that could affect these structures and transported goods.”

The source added that the goal is also to “provide appropriate insurance conditions in order to better deal with the risks associated with storage silos.”

It was also emphasized in this regard that grain storage silos play a strategic and vital role in preserving grain in sufficient quantities, which would respond to the disturbances that agricultural demand and production may experience, the source added, noting that these facilities could pose a major environmental and industrial risk.

The statement mentioned, as examples, dust explosions, fires, noise, water and air pollution, and sabotage acts, emphasizing that the effective and safe management of these facilities is essential.

Pointing out that Algeria is located in an active seismic zone, the Fund stressed “the necessity of establishing storage silos that meet strict anti-seismic standards,” warning of the effects of earthquakes that could lead to “cracks and collapses resulting in grain losses.”

Fires also represent – adds the same statement – “a constant threat to silos,” in addition to “storage conditions that lead to spontaneous combustion, especially if humidity and temperature are not controlled.”

In this regard, he recommended establishing systems for automatic detection and suppression of fires, which he considers one of the “important” procedures, in addition to training users on fire safety procedures, as well as organizing regular exercises to ensure their readiness to confront them.

The source added that silos are also exposed to the dangers of explosion, often resulting from the accumulation of flammable dust, which requires taking “preventive measures such as appropriate ventilation, monitoring dust levels, and the use of non-flammable materials.”

This meeting allowed, according to the Fund, “to prove that securing storage silos against seismic dangers, fires and explosions, and adopting strict preventive measures, is necessary to ensure the sustainability and flexibility of the grain storage system in Algeria.”

The Fund’s statement finally concluded by emphasizing that these preventive measures “would contribute directly to ensuring food security by protecting stocks, enhancing the flexibility of the agricultural sector, and strengthening food self-sufficiency.”