Shandong province has delivered 988,000 containers to help farmers store grain, such as corn and wheat, for extended periods, the Shandong Food and Strategic Reserves Administration said.

Each container can store 1,000 kilograms of grain and keep it it good condition for three to five years. They block moisture and  and prevent destruction by worms and rodents.

Farmers pay 80 yuan ($12) for the use of a container for 15 years.

The storage container project is supported by government subsidies aimed at guiding farmers to store grain scientifically, said Meng Jun, deputy head of the Shandong Food and Strategic Reserves Administration.

In the past, farmers in Shandong kept their corn and wheat in simple containers, some of which were placed outdoors, which shortened the life of the grain by inducing mold and other problems.

Meng said the containers are expected to save 50,000 tons of grain each year.