The metal silo: An effective grain storage technology for reducing post-harvest insect and pathogen losses in maize while improving smallholder farmers' food security in developing countries

► This study presents a review of new storage technology, the metal silo, an effective grain storage facility reducing postharvest losses due to pests in maize while improving smallholder farmers' food security in developing countries. ► A metal silo is a cylindrical structure, constructed from a galvanized iron sheet and hermetically sealed, killing any insect pests that may be present. ► Over the last two decades the metal silo technology was developed and deployed to developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). ► The metal silo technology significantly improved food security; is ecologically friendly hence safeguarding the agro-ecosystems.