An assessment of rice postharvest systems: a techno-economic evaluation of rice processing

Abstract

Most of the rice produced in Ghana is processed by small-scale operators. Simple technology, available on a custom basis, generates considerable employment and profits for the informal sector. Ease of entry is substantial due to the relatively low initial investment costs. While it appears there is a ready market for the local product it appears that millers and parboilers do not have access to information on how to improve their practices. Mills are under utilized and most operators have not been trained in use and adjustment of mills which affects both rice quality and out turn quantity. Locally fabricated spares are often of poor quality and mills equipped with aspirators are very rare. As there were no millers found to be buying paddy and milling it for retail sale, there is currently little incentive for them to maintain and adjust their mills to produce good quality rice. Profitability of operations was very difficult to assess as no records were kept of throughput, takings and expenditure. Although the steel huller mills make a lower profit per bag than the rubber roll mills the project study estimated their daily operating costs are about one-third that of rubber roll mills. It is proposed that it is at the milling level-that significant qualitative improvements could most cost-effectively be made. The main problem with local rice as perceived by consumers is poor quality as exemplified by poor visual appearance, (colour), high levels of foreign matter and a high proportion of broken grains. Traders also identify the degree of milling as an important characteristic and consumers are concerned about the cooking qualities such as expansion ratio and aroma. Notwithstanding the perceived poor quality, local rice finds a ready market