Small scale mechanisation for rice production and processing

For example, use of simple and low-cost equipment like roller markers or other types of markers can facilitate line sowing and maintain uniform spacing during transplantation. Rotary weeders can help more efficient weeding that churn the soil and add biomass by incorporating the weeds into the soil, in addition to saving labour cost. Small-scale rice harvesters have been developed and introduced in some areas where harvesting labour is in short supply.

But in vast areas in different districts, rice harvesting is delayed causing production losses due to unavailability of sufficient labour force in time. Small-scale mechanisation for making various labour-intensive field operations such as crop establishment, weeding and harvesting are in demand. The Government should encourage such need-based mechanisation by providing incentives to manufacturers and users for improving the efficiency of rice production. Post-harvest operations also require introduction of appropriate new technology for efficient drying, processing, and storage of rice.

Policy Recommendations:

a) Encourage domestic production of agricultural machines; review the current credit, tax and tariff policies oil domestic production of agricultural machines, spare parts and raw materials, and introduce incentives to encourage their local production on a competitive basis. Domestic production of agricultural machinery would also increase employment and income opportunities to the people directly and indirectly through a multiplier effect. Here, the Ministries of Finance and Planning, Commerce, Agriculture, and Food & Disaster Management can be the implementing agencies.

b) Reduce milling loss; to reduce milling loss (2.0-4.0 per cent) both in term of quality and quantity, concrete steps should be taken to phase out within the next few years the obsolete Engleberg rice hullers in favour off rubber roll hullers in the rice mills. Furthermore, a separate standard for low cost, low pressure and safe steam boiler suitable for small scale rice mills should be established by amending the existing 'Boiler Act 1923'. The Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Food & Disaster Management can be its implementing agency.

Meanwhile, our aromatic and fine rice varieties have a niche market in the Middle East and in western Countries where Bangladeshi expatriates are in high concentration. Non-aromatic, fine rice varieties may also have a significant foreign market. Export of aromatic and fine rice should be encouraged as this would increase farmers' income and fetch valuable foreign exchange. However, decision on whether any rice should at all be exported must be based on whether there is comparative advantage in doing so. Currently, only a few traders are exporting a small quantity of fine rice, mainly along with export of vegetables and fish. The amount of aromatic and fine rice exported in 2003 was 3,300 tons.

Bangladesh Rice Foundation (BRF) has just completed an in-depth study of the potential of exporting aromatic and fine rice from Bangladesh. The study concluded that aromatic and fine rice production is profitable from financial and economic points of view. Several aromatic and fine rice varieties like Kalijira, Chinigura, Kataribhog, and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) dhan 34 have high comparative advantage for export relative to the Indian Basmati rice at its world price.

However, when compared with two grades of Pakistani Basmati 385, our varieties showed no comparative advantage for export but did have comparative advantage as import Substitutes. Several non-aromatic and fine varieties (Nizershail, Pajam, BRRI dhan 28, and BRRI dhan 29) were also found to have comparative advantage as import substitutes. It should be mentioned here that about 50,000 tons of Basmati rice is imported into Bangladesh every year by the private sector. The study found that our milling facilities are inadequate for export quality rice output. The study also identified areas of rice processing and marketing that are weak, which must be rectified if aromatic and fine rice are to be exported on a competitive basis.

Policy Recommendations:

a) Provide facilities for processing export quality rice; the Government should encourage the rice mill owners to provide their mills with modern equipment like rubber rollers, mist polishers and colour sorters that are needed for processing export quality rice. Fiscal incentives to millers will be helpful in this upgrading effort. The recommend implementing agencies for the purpose are the Ministry of Food & Disaster Management and the Ministry of Industries

b) Establish rice grading standards; to enhance export demand for Bangladeshi rice, the Government should invest quality resources on the gradual introduction of internationally-accepted grades and standards for Bangladeshi rice. Towards this end, we recommend that a technical-assistance project be scoped out at an early date. Best practices from major rice-exporting countries such as Thailand and Viet Nam may gainfully be used for this purpose. The Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce, and private sector exporters can be the implementing agencies here.

c) Remove non-trade barriers for export; the Government should help the private exporters to overcome existing trade and non-trade barriers to exporting rice from Bangladesh. The high shipping cost and the requirement of "attestation" of export documents imposed by the embassies of some countries are examples of such barriers that exist now. The Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau can implement this.

d) Explore new consumer markets; the Government should help the private sector to expand export demand and to identify new consumer markets. Various means of promoting Bangladeshi aromatic and fine rice among ethnic Bangladeshis abroad and other consumers at large (e.g. food fair, festivals and special events) should be employed for this purpose, highlighting the unique qualities of' the products. The Embassies and Trade Missions of Bangladesh can play an important role in this endeavour. The Export Promotion Bureau, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Industries should be the implementing agencies here.

(Source: financialexpress-bd.com)