Postharvest

Postharvest losses contribute to the rice production yield gap. Inefficient machineries, low quality grains, and fragmented value chains are some of the major reasons that hinder the producers from selling rice at a premium price. Losses that can be generated from the rice postproduction process (i.e., from harvesting to marketing) range from 12 to 25%. Over the years, different technology options to improve rice production and postproduction process have been tested in many countries in Southeast Asia. Trials conducted on these technologies have demonstrated that postharvest losses can be reduced to below 10%, and that grain quality can be improved.

To close the rice yield gaps in Asia’s major rice granaries, the group aims to (1) introduce suitable postproduction technologies and practices, and mechanization strategy; (2) verify new postproduction technologies in different rice-growing and rice-consuming areas in optimal and sub-optimal conditions, and (3) facilitate better linkages with market to support uptake of technologies and increase farmers’ profit.

The group has also work hand in hand with other scientists to work on the input parameters for field calculators. This included gathering data on postharvest practices and technologies in different farming scenarios and outreach systems. These were also used as inputs for conduction life cycle assessments (LCA) for different postharvest and rice production practices to generate scientific evidence for defining the sustainability indicators for the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP).