Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development
Project Progress Report
MS11: THE FIFTH SIX-MONTHLY REPORTS
026/05VIE
Investigation of rice kernel cracking and its control in the field
and during post-harvest processes in the Mekong Delta of
Vietnam
• Report submitted using the CARD standard reporting format detailing progress in achievement of logframe
activities. (Brief Training Reports as attachments)
• Statutory Declaration of Personnel, Equipment and Other Services Provided
May 2009
NONG LAM UNIVERSITY
1
Table of Contents
1. Institute Information __________________________________________________ 1
2. Project Abstract ______________________________________________________ 2
3. Executive Summary ___________________________________________________ 2
4. Introduction & Background ____________________________________________ 3
4.1 Project objectives ________________________________________________________ 3
4.2 Expected project outputs __________________________________________________ 3
4.3 Approach and Methodology _______________________________________________ 4
4.3.1 Implementation methodologies___________________________________________________ 7
5. Progress to Date _____________________________________________________ 14
5.1 Implementation Highlights _______________________________________________ 14
5.1.1 Optimisation of the multi pass mode fluidized bed drying method ______________________ 14
5.1.2 Milling experiments __________________________________________________________ 15
5.1.3 Rice management model_______________________________________________________ 15
5.1.4 Survey result to evaluate the impact of the project___________________________________ 15
5.2 Extension service________________________________________________________ 19
5.3 Smallholder Benefits_____________________________________________________ 19
5.4 Capacity Building _______________________________________________________ 19
5.5 Publicity _______________________________________________________________ 20
5.6 Project Management ____________________________________________________ 21
6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues ________________________________________ 21
6.1 Environment ___________________________________________________________ 21
6.2 Gender and Social Issues _________________________________________________ 21
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues _________________________________ 22
7.1 Issues and Constraints ___________________________________________________ 22
7.2 Options________________________________________________________________ 22
7.3 Sustainability___________________________________________________________ 22
8. Next Critical Steps ___________________________________________________ 22
9. Conclusion _________________________________________________________ 22
10. Statutory Declaration ___________________________Error! Bookmark not defined.
11. Project Progress Against Proposed Objectives, Outputs, Activities And Inputs
Error! Bookmark not defined.
12. APPENDICES ______________________________________________________ 23
1
1. Institute Information
Project Name Investigation of rice kernel cracking and its control
in the field and during post-harvest processes in the
Mekong Delta of Vietnam
Vietnamese Institution Nong Lam University HCMC
Vietnamese Project Team Leader Dr Vinh Truong
Australian Organisation The University of Queensland
Australian Personnel Professor Bhesh Bhandari
Professor Shu Fukai
Date commenced April 2006
Completion date (original) March 2009
Completion date (revised) November 2009
Reporting period 6 months
Contact Officer(s)
In Australia: Team Leader
Name: Bhesh Bhandari Telephone: +61733469192
Position: Professor Fax:+61733651177
Organisation: The University of Queensland Email:b.bhandari@uq.edu.au
In Australia: Administrative contact
Name: Mr Kerry Johnston Telephone: +61 7 3365 7493
Position: Research support officer Fax: +61 7 33658383
Organisation: The University of Queensland Email: k.johnston@research.uq.edu.au
In Vietnam
Name: Vinh Truong Telephone: 84-8-37242527
Position: Head, Department of Chemical Engineering Fax: 84-8-37245030
Organisation: Nong Lam University Email: tv@hcmuaf.edu.vn
2
2. Project Abstract
3. Executive Summary
This report presents the major activities of the CARD 026-VIE/05 project from 1 July 2008
to 31 March 2009. Basically, main experiments related to harvesting time, harvesting method
and glass transition approach are completed and final results and conclusions have been
drawn. The fluidised bed drying experiment was continued to validate the optimisation
method of multi-pass drying mode. The first milling experiment was undertaken in Can Tho
University in Aug 2008 using a medium milling capacity of 1 ton/hour. The second milling
experiment was undertaken in Kien Giang province in March 2009 using a large milling
capacity of 7 ton/hour and data analysis is being done. The main purpose of milling
experiment was to evaluate the current milling performance and find out a new approach for
better milling performance. We also propose an integrated rice management chain model
from harvesting to milling for better rice quality and higher farmer income. This model can
also be developed through a cooperative-union where a group of cooperatives invest and run
a milling plant and have control over entire rice post-harvest chain.
Second main task undertaken during this period was training activities to disseminate the
information on harvesting and drying practices to stakeholders. Results obtained since the
commencement of the project assisted the development of training manual based on factual
data. Extension activities including five training sessions, demonstrations and study tours for
farmers and local extension workers were held in July 2008 at Can Tho City and Kien Giang
province in order to disseminate the knowledge to stakeholders about the rice cracking,
drying and harvesting practices. A rice milling workshop was also successfully organised in
Tan Hiep district, Kien Giang province to make local authorities, service providers, millers,
extension workers and farmers’ representatives aware of using appropriate milling
technology. To date (since the project commencement) 2312 farmers and 300 extension
workers participated in the training. To build up staff competence in rice processing
technology and quality evaluation, two NLU staff members undertook the technical training
at the University of Queensland during this period.
Reduced whole rice grain yield due to cracking is one of the major issues that directly
reduces 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. A key objective of this project
is to improve the knowledge of smallholder farmers by organizing workshops and
demonstration for farmer cooperatives in the region so that appropriate harvesting and
subsequent grain handling techniques are observed to improve rice grain quality.
Similarly there will be demonstration and workshops for small millers to encourage them
to install driers and/or provide them technical knowledge to practice optimum drying
conditions. Improvement of the capacity of the extension workers by providing updated
knowledge is another objective. The theory of grain drying will be advanced that would
improve designs of future dryers. The education institutions involved in the project will
work together for capacity building of their staff members in the Nong Lam University.
3
A survey to evaluate the impact of the project was carried out in Kien Giang province.
Regarding publication, an article in relation to fluidized bed drying was published in Drying
Technology. The abstract 'Influence of harvesting time around grain maturity on rice
cracking and head rice yield in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam' has been submitted to
'Post Harvest 2009 – Rice Exhibition and Conference’ to be held in July 2009 in Bangkok,
Thailand. The abstract of research projects entitled ‘Optimisation of high temperature
fluidised bed drying performance by Response Surface Method’ and ‘Influence of high
temperature fluidized bed drying on the kernel cracking of Vietnamese rice varieties’ is also
submitted to upcoming 6th Asia-Pacific Drying Conference which will be held in October
2009 at Bangkok.
4. Introduction & Background
4.1 Project objectives
The specific objectives of this project during this period were:
1. Optimisation of the multi-pass mode fluidised bed drying method.
2. To carry out milling experiments for medium and large capacities of 1 ton/hour and 7
ton/hour, respectively.
3. To build a concept of integrated rice management model.
4. Training workshops and demonstrations for the farmers and extension workers on the
economic value of correct harvesting time, appropriate harvesting method, and the
benefit of mechanical drying against sun drying.
5. To make the farmers, service providers, millers and extension workers aware of
various factors responsible for harvesting and milling losses and degradation of rice
quality.
6. To increase the research and teaching capability of institution and staff members on
rice quality and related products.
7. To evaluate the impact of the project.
8. To disseminate the results of this project in international journals and conferences.
4.2 Expected project outputs
The expected outputs during this period were:
• Continued experiments to identify optimum drying conditions for high temperature
compact driers.
• Undertake milling experiments to evaluate the current milling performance and find
out a new approach for better milling performance.
• Building an integrated rice management model based on a group of cooperatives to
handle the rice from harvesting to milling.
• Extension and training materials are produced.
• Training for 300 extension officers and 2300 farmers (2nd year).
• Milling workshop for 70 milling plant owners and milling service providers.
• Training of 2 staff members in Australia.
• Visit of Vietnamese project leader to Australia.
• Survey of the impact of CARD project upon 162 farmers in Kien Giang province.
• Production of Reports.
• Publication and submission of scientific papers.
