Production Potentials and Use of Paddy Dryer at Rice Mill Level in the Central Region

Abstract

A survey was conducted to collect information from dryer manufacturers/ importers and rice mill owners located in 11 provinces in the central region. Conclusions are as follows: 1) overall, the production of paddy dryer was potentially growing, as evidenced by recent product developments and stronger marketing competition, 2) on the user side, a positive trend was also evident with regards to the adoption of paddy dryer among the rice mills in the central region, although some variations existed on the quality of dryer applications, and 3) a cost-benefit analysis of 4 cases of dryer use indicated that, at the 6-month rate of use per year, payback period could be achieved in the first year for all the 4 cases studied. A set of recommendations are proposed to help strengthening the production potentials of paddy dryer to meet the users' needs. To stimulate the use of paddy dryer, recommendations cover both large-scale and medium-scale rice mills. Further supports, however, should be targetted more to the medium-scale rice mills as the rate of adoption among this group was found to be relatively low.