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https://e-catalogs.taat-africa.org/org/technologies/gem-system-parboiling-and-flour-production-equipment-for-rice
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GEM system: Parboiling and flour production equipment for rice

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.

2

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

9•9

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use 9/9

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.

Problem

  • High milling losses.
  • Decreased nutritional quality of the rice.
  • Undesirable texture, aroma, and appearance of the rice.
  • Significant time and effort required for the process.

Solution

  • Improved and Safer Design: The GEM parboiling system significantly reduces the steaming time to 20-25 minutes, which enhances efficiency and minimizes exposure to harmful emissions.
  • Quality Enhancement: The GEM system brings improvements in the parboiling process, increasing grain translucency, reducing chalkiness, and enhancing the overall nutritional quality of the rice, making it more appealing to consumers.
  • Health and Nutritional Benefits: Parboiled rice offers health benefits such as a low glycemic index, increased fiber content, and higher availability of vitamin B compared to non-parboiled rice.
  • Economic aspect: Compared to the traditional system, GEM allows women in Benin to gain an additional 140 kg of milled rice per tonne of paddy and 73 USD per tonne.
  • Adaptability and Accessibility: The GEM technology is made from simple, locally available materials, such as stainless steel and fire bricks, and is designed to be easily built and scaled in remote communities. The technology comes in different sizes, allowing processors to align it with their financial resources and production needs.

Key points to design your program

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.

Cost: $$$ 500 USD

Equipment

ROI: $$$ 70 %

Internal rate of return for a GEM parboiling system

0.64 USD

firewood per 100kg of rice

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour
Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour
Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour
Tested
Countries with a blue colour
Testing ongoing
Egypt Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burundi Burkina Faso Democratic Republic of the Congo Djibouti Côte d’Ivoire Eritrea Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Cameroon Kenya Libya Liberia Madagascar Mali Malawi Morocco Mauritania Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Rwanda Zambia Senegal Sierra Leone Zimbabwe Somalia South Sudan Sudan South Africa Eswatini Tanzania Togo Tunisia Chad Uganda Western Sahara Central African Republic Lesotho
Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
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.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
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.

Sustainable Development Goal 1: no poverty
Goal 1: no poverty

By increasing rice output and profits for women, the GEM system boosts income and improves livelihoods

Sustainable Development Goal 8: decent work and economic growth
Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

GEM creates better job opportunities for women and youth in the rice sector, contributing to economic growth and more sustainable livelihoods.

Sustainable Development Goal 5: gender equality
Goal 5: gender equality

GEM empowers women economically by increasing their productivity and income, and providing skills training, which enhances their participation in decision-making and economic activities.

Sustainable Development Goal 13: climate action
Goal 13: climate action

It reduces carbon emissions through more efficient energy use and decreasing reliance on firewood.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Dehusking and Polishing: Dehusk the parboiled rice using a huller. Polish the rice using a roll mill.

  6. Processing into Flour: Crush and grind the polished grains into a fine powder using a dry rice flour mill. 

  7. Packaging: Package the rice flour using paper or plastic bags.

Last updated on 11 December 2024