Post-harvest rice technologies top talks

13:50' 01/05/2008 (GMT+7)

A seminar was held in HCM City last week to discuss the outcomes of an Australian–assisted programme in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta to improve the quality of rice by using modern post-harvest technologies. The programme titled CARD/VIEO5, which began in April 2006 and will go on until March 2009, is aimed at adding value to rice harvests by training farmers, milling factory owners, service providers and agricultural extension workers. Nearly 100 scientists, agricultural students and agricultural workers and farmers attended the seminar organised by HCM City’s Nong Lam University (Agriculture - Forestry University) and Australia’s University of Queensland, which are also running the programme. The programme has made a survey of post-harvest losses and use of post-harvest technologies in the Mekong Delta. It organises seminars and demonstrations in select communes to educate farmers in efficient post-harvest and processing technologies. Mill owners also attended the workshops to learn how to effectively install and use grain-drying machines. Agricultural extension workers are trained in the latest post-harvest technologies, particularly for drying, so that they can assist farmers.Delegates at the seminar heard Nong Lam University lecturers speak about advanced post-harvest technologies and machines, and agricultural extension workers’ presentations on local farmers’ use of technology and equipment. They also discussed the developing trends in post-harvest technologies in the delta and local provinces’ plans to mechanise post-harvest activities.