Reduced whole rice grain yield due to cracking is one of the major issues that directly reduce income and availability of staple food to the farmers in the Mekong River Delta. The cracking or partial fissuring of rice kernels may occur right in the paddy field due to incorrect harvesting time/practice, improper post-harvest drying conditions and inappropriate milling operations. This project aims to improve the quality and value of the rice, through an integrated approach which encompasses farmers, millers, service providers and extension workers and education institution | Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development AusAID Australian Government Project Progress Report 026 05VIE Investigation of rice kernel cracking and its control in the field and during post-harvest processes in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam MS12 VALIDATION OF IMPROVED HARVESTING DRYING AND MILLING METHODS Cooperative demonstrations detailing the physical and financial benefits of implementation of optimal harvest methods optimal drying conditions and improved performance of milling plants. Output 31. and July 2009 1 NONG LAM UNIVERSITY Q The University Of Queensland Table of Contents 1. Institute Information 1 2. Project abstract 2 3. Executive summary 2 4. Demonstration of benefit of harvesting practices 3 5. Demonstration of benefits of flat bed and fluidised bed drying 4 6. Milling experiments to demonstrate the benefit of roller milling as against stone milling 5 7. Survey results 6 Harvesting time 7 Harvesting methods 7 Rice drying 7 Training program and extension activities 8 Cooperatives 9 The impact of this project to smallholder farmers 10 8. Training activities 10 Training of farmers 10 Study tours for farmers and service providers 14 Demonstrations 15 Mill installation and training of mill owners operators 17 9. Physical and Financial Benefits 20 Integrated data on harvest and post-harvest losses of rice and information on the use of harvesters and dryers 21 Assessment of benefits gained by Tan Phat A cooperative region. _ 24 Benefits from improvement of harvesting methods __ 24 Benefits from improvement of drying methods __ 26 Summary on the benefits gained by Tan Phat A cooperative from the project_ 28 Assessment of overall benefits to a province or MRD _ 31 10. Conclusion 32 11. Appendix 33 2 1. Institute Information Project Name Investigation of rice kernel cracking and its control in the field and during .
