Improper postharvest practices affect rice production
Fifteen to 20 percent of rice production is affected by improper postharvest practices. This according to Department of Agriculture (DA) regional director Larry Nacionales. The agriculture department along with Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) is now conducting a study relative to postharvest losses in rice.
Nacionales said they have given emphasis on the postharvest losses in rice since Western Visayas is a rice producing region. The study will soon be out to guide the farmers to enhance their productivity and competitiveness.
He said the 45 flatbed dryers given to different irrigation associations in the region is a great help to the farmers. The use of flatbed dryers is critical during the drying period. Palay should have a moisture content of 14 percent before milled. Once the moisture content of the palay is above 14 percent, the milled rice is not of good quality.
Each flatbed dryer is equipped with a digital moisture meter to determine the moisture of the palay. The moisture meter will monitor the drying point of palay. Once it is overexposed to the dryer, the palay will also get burn and produce a non-quality rice.
Meanwhile, former Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor said the proper postharvest practices among farmers must be addressed. The practice from harvesting until milling should be observed to avoid losses. In improper harvesting and threshing of palay, grains are already wasted.
Montemayor said postharvest losses should be avoided to increase productivity especially in rice. The production should catch up with the demand. The rice production is increasing but the demand is likewise increasing.
He likewise recommended that there should be continuous program in agriculture especially in the improvement of the country's irrigation system. The irrigation system is important in the rice production. The program should not only go beyond 2010.
Montemayor, who is now the national president of the Federation of Free Farmers said irrigation system should be given enough funding support from the government in order to increase the productivity. The better rice variety should also be made available to the farmers.