A field practice report on the evaluation of the rice milling operations and management at Rice Mill 3, FCGPCI, Cabatuan, Isabela, Philippines

Ray Alipio

Date

6-2015

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

College

College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Ma Cristine Concepcion D. Ignacio

Abstract

Rice milling is one of the most crucial postproduction processes with approximately 5.52 % losses. This wastage in the postharvest system can be mitigated by upgrading the milling industry which shall initiate from an inclusive evaluation of local rice mills. This report evaluates the rice milling operations and management practices of FCGPCI, a prevailing grain processing center in Isabela. Specifically, Rice Mill 3 was evaluated and observed based on the manpower requirements, quality control, plant maintenance, worker‟s safety, inventory practices, milling rate, material and product handling and its environmental engineering aspect. Extensively, operations pertinent to rice milling including handling of by-products and storage of paddy and milled rice products were also inspected. The raw materials and the final products were also graded according to established local grade standards. Paddy entering to the rice mill was characterized as premium grains with an average moisture content of 13.8 %. White Rose and Magnolia rice, both considered as well-milled rice products and labeled as ?Sinandomeng? were classified as Grade 3 and Grade 4, respectively, according to the NFA grade standards. Both rice products were classified as long grain with an average length of greater than 6.792 mm. Furthermore, the performance of the rice mill was evaluated based on the milling rate computed which was equal to 4.89 tons/hr. The milling rate was just roughly half of the claimed maximum output capacity of the rice mill which is equivalent to 9.5 tons/hr, hence the output capacity of Rice Mill 3 is usually not fully optimized especially during lean periods of ?palay? delivery. Moreover, the assessment of the pertinent aspects of the processing plant exposed the usual problems arising from any rice mill which include absence of regular evaluation testing of the ricemill, improper attire of laborers in areas prone to fugitive emissions, overflow of rice in the mechanical handling system, excessive stacking height and scattered grains in the paddy storage warehouse, and improper handling of products. These circumstances must be avoided and prevented to minimize losses incurred in the milling line, thereby resulting to reduced aggregate losses in the rice postharvest handling system.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993 2015 A2 /A44

Document Type

Thesis

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