We are using a lot of separation techniques to mixture is allowed to fall down from a height

separate mixtures in our daily life. The while the wind is blowing through it lighter
separation technique is primarily based on the components will blow off by the wind, and the
nature of components in that mixture. heavier component will fall down.
Filtration, hand picking, decanting, sieving etc.,
are the basic separation techniques that we are Significance of Winnowing in Agriculture
adopting in our daily life. Have you ever thought
Winnowing is an important process in
of how the grains that we are directly using
agriculture. It is done after the process of
from the market are processed? Is there any
threshing in the cleaning process of grains. The
separation technique to separate the grain from
purpose of winnowing is the removal of chaff.
the chaff? The answer is yes. And that
Chaff is the protective casing of seed. It is dry
separation technique is known as winnowing,
and scaly. The human intestine cannot digest
which means separation with the help of wind.
this chaff. Hence it should be removed even
In this topic, we are discussing what is
after threshing chaff may not be removed. So
winnowing, its uses, advantages and
winnowing is done to remove these lighter
disadvantages.
particles.

What is Winnowing? Advantages of Winnowing

Winnowing is a separation technique in which
 Winnowing is a crucial process in the
lighter particles from heavier components are
cleaning of grain
separated out either by blowing air or by the
 Winnowing helps to remove indigestive
wind. This is basically used to separate grains
chaff from grains, and this chaff can give
from the chaff in the paddy field. In traditional
to livestock
winnowing, the dried grains were allowed to fall
 Winnowing machines are easy to
from a definite height using a shovel and sieve.
handle, pollution free, and has less
During this, lighter particles flew in the air, and
maintenance.
the heavier particles fell down. The first
 Grains like wheat, rice, corn etc., can be
winnowing machine was invented in 1737,
cleaned by this process.
called fanner by Andrew Rodger. A rotary
winnowing fan can produce an air stream is
used by ancient china to improve winnowing. In
1700 these rotary winnowing fans were Disadvantages of Winnowing
exported to Europe by Dutch.
 Through this process, we can separate
light impurities like chaff
Principle of Winnowing  We cannot separate impurities heavier
than a grain
The winnowing principle is based on the  Impurities like stones cannot be
difference in mass between components. If a removed
mixture contains two components, one is  The scope of separation of impurities is
lighter in weight compared to the other one, limited in winnowing.
then it can be separated by winnowing. The
EXAMPLE OF WINNOWING
 The winnowing procedure is used to
separate wheat from the husk. The
wheat and husk mixture is dropped
from a height. Because husk is lighter
than wheat grains, it is removed from
wheat by wind or air.
 Winnowing can be used to remove dirt
particles from grains.
 Winnowing is used to remove corn from
straw.