Reduce milling losses, enhance nutritional and organoleptic quality
The "GEM parboiling and flour production for rice" technology is an improved system designed to enhance the parboiling process for rice. This technology introduces a new, advanced design for parboiling equipment, replacing the traditional cast iron drum method that typically exposes processors to harmful emissions, such as carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter. The GEM system utilizes a stainless steel parboiler tank and an enhanced stove design to efficiently steam rice, improving the overall process performance and product quality. It's specifically tailored for small to medium-scale processors in rice-growing regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, where energy and market infrastructures are often underdeveloped. The system's structure and components are easily accessible and can be constructed in remote communities. It significantly reduces the time required for steaming rice compared to conventional methods, achieving substantial improvements in grain quality and efficiency.
This technology is TAAT1 validated.
Adults 18 and over: Positive high
It increases income and productivity, especially for women, by allowing them to process more rice and earn higher profits.
The poor: Positive medium
Reduces the cost of producing rice, making it more affordable and accessible, contributing to food security among low-income households.
Under 18: Positive medium
It improves nutrition by enhancing the nutritional quality of rice.
Women: Positive high
Strengthens women’s technical and business skills, making them more competitive in the rice market and improving their livelihoods.
Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable
The system's energy efficiency makes it more adaptable to regions facing climate stress, reducing reliance on traditional fuel sources.
Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement
It increases rice quality while reducing costs
Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released
The system lowers greenhouse gas emissions by using less energy and reducing reliance on wood or charcoal.
Water use: A bit less water used
The improved technology optimizes water usage during the parboiling process, reducing water wastage.
A Solution for Rice Parboiling system in Sub-Saharan Africa
The GEM parboiling technology addresses key challenges in traditional rice parboiling processes, such as low quality, inefficient energy use, and hazardous emissions. Compared to the traditional system, GEM allows women to gain an additional 140 kg of milled rice per tonne of paddy and an extra USD 73 in income. Its adoption has also reduced the poverty rates by 26 percent among adopter households.
This technology supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 by improving the nutritional quality of rice as a staple food, SDG 7 by promoting energy efficiency through reduced firewood consumption, and SDG 5 by creating economic opportunities for women, who are often key players in rice processing.
As part of the Rice technology Toolkit, GEM parboiling technology complements other innovations like Rice Storage Solutions, collectively increasing the efficiency and sustainability of rice value chains.
The GEM parboiling system has been introduced in Gambia and Guinea Bissau countries through the Resilient Rice Value Chain Development Project in West Africa (REWARD) project, funded by the African Development Bank.
It is an ideal solution for development programs aiming to improve food security, support rural livelihoods, and promote environmental sustainability. Partnering with organizations such as AfricaRice and local agricultural cooperatives ensures effective implementation, capacity building, and technical support.
Equipment
Internal rate of return for a GEM parboiling system
firewood per 100kg of rice
Open source / open access
Country | Testing ongoing | Tested | Adopted |
---|---|---|---|
Benin | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
Cameroon | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
Ghana | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
Nigeria | –No ongoing testing | Tested | Adopted |
This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.
AEZ | Subtropic - warm | Subtropic - cool | Tropic - warm | Tropic - cool |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arid | ||||
Semiarid | ||||
Subhumid | ||||
Humid |
Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.
By increasing rice output and profits for women, the GEM system boosts income and improves livelihoods
GEM creates better job opportunities for women and youth in the rice sector, contributing to economic growth and more sustainable livelihoods.
GEM empowers women economically by increasing their productivity and income, and providing skills training, which enhances their participation in decision-making and economic activities.
It reduces carbon emissions through more efficient energy use and decreasing reliance on firewood.
Cleaning and Washing Rough Rice: Clean rough rice with hulls using a winnower and wash it with water. Remove floating grains with fissures and transfer the remaining rice into a clean container, ensuring no sand or gravel from the bottom is included.
Soaking Process: Add 2 parts of water per part of rice by weight. Heat the rice and water mixture to 80°C. Let the mixture sit at ambient temperature for 16 hours.
Steaming the Soaked Rice: Place the soaked rice into a steaming vessel. Position the steaming vessel atop a tank filled with boiling water for 20-25 minutes to allow the vapor to pass through the rice.
Drying Parboiled Rough Rice: Dry the parboiled rice with hulls in the sun until it reaches 18% moisture content. Further dry the rice in the shade until it reaches 14% moisture content. Use a tarpaulin on a cemented surface raised from the ground to dry the rice.
Dehusking and Polishing: Dehusk the parboiled rice using a huller. Polish the rice using a roll mill.
Processing into Flour: Crush and grind the polished grains into a fine powder using a dry rice flour mill.
Packaging: Package the rice flour using paper or plastic bags.
Last updated on 11 December 2024