Rice: Post Production to Market course conducted at IRRI to train rice specialists

A two-week course called Rice: Post-Production to Market was conducted at IRRI headquarters from April 28 to May 9, 2014. Sixteen rice specialists from different countries-- Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Thailand--signed up for the course. The training aimed to instruct the participants how to (1) identify and measure losses throughout the post-production chain, from harvest to market; (2) evaluate technology options for harvesting, threshing, drying, storage, and milling of paddy; and (3) learn how to use methodologies and tools to assess local post-harvest chains, mapping of actors, and use of a business plan for introducing or scaling out suitable technology options.

A series of lectures and hands-on exercises were conducted to help participants gain the skills that they need to become certified basic postharvest trainers. They were given in-depth lectures on the important aspects of rice postharvest process: Harvesting, Drying, Milling, Machineries, Measurements and Calibration, Seed Quality, Storage, and Business and Project Planning. A new module on rice markets and marketing was also introduced.

The Rice: Post-Production to Market Training course was conducted by the Postharvest Unit of CESD and the Training Center. The second course will be held on October 2014 and are now accepting applicants.

Interested trainees may check this link for more details.

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