INTEGRATED COMMODITY MANAGEMENT

Agricultural produce of all kinds fall within the broad definition of the commodity. Integrated commodity management requires an understanding of the physical and bio- chemical properties of the commodity, storage environment of the commodity, and all tools which can be used to manipulate the storage environment to extend the storage life of the commodity and to maintain the quality of the commodity. Using bulk grain as an example, the relationship among physical properties of grain kernels, grain bulk, environment of stored grain, and methods of managing stored grain was analyzed and an approach to integrated management of grains was presented. The paper highlights the directions for further research for integrated commodity management.