Beneath the mora: Bangladesh's bamboo bins for paddy storage reflect upon its agrarian wisdom and sustainability

Across much of rural Bangladesh, the sight of hand-woven storage containers nestled in mud houses remains a silent testament to generations of agrarian sustainability

Beneath the mora: Bangladesh's bamboo bins for paddy storage reflect upon its agrarian wisdom and sustainability
Once the grains have been sufficiently dried, they're gathered and stored in traditional containers or structures made from natural materials like bamboo, straw and clay.Photographs by Arnab Pratim Dutta/CSE
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In Bangladesh, paddy storage is deeply rooted in tradition, shaped by both the country's agrarian lifestyle and the practical needs of small-scale farmers.

After harvesting, paddy is typically sun-dried in open fields or on household courtyards to reduce moisture content — crucial for long-term storage.

The sun, often relentless during harvest seasons, is harnessed as the primary drying agent. Once the grains have been sufficiently dried, they're gathered and stored in traditional containers or structures made from natural materials like bamboo, straw and clay.

In rural areas, one might find paddy stored in large earthen granaries called bhiris or in cylindrical bamboo bins known as mora or dole, which are sometimes plastered with mud and cow dung for added insulation and pest protection.

These methods are not only cost-effective but also help regulate temperature and humidity, keeping the grains safe from spoilage. In households with more resources, metal drums or plastic containers might be used, though they still often rely on age-old techniques to maintain grain quality.

These methods are not only cost-effective but also help regulate temperature and humidity, keeping the grains safe from spoilage.
These methods are not only cost-effective but also help regulate temperature and humidity, keeping the grains safe from spoilage.

Storage practices also vary depending on how long the paddy needs to be kept. For short-term storage, jute sacks are common, stacked inside storerooms with regular monitoring for pests.

However, for longer durations, families may mix dried neem leaves or use ash — a traditional method known for deterring insects.

In households with more resources, metal drums or plastic containers might be used, though they still often rely on age-old techniques to maintain grain quality.
In households with more resources, metal drums or plastic containers might be used, though they still often rely on age-old techniques to maintain grain quality.

With time and increasing influence of modern agriculture, silos and improved warehouses have started appearing, particularly in more developed or urban regions.

But across much of Bangladesh, the sight of hand-woven storage containers nestled in mud houses remains a silent testament to generations of agrarian wisdom and sustainability.

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