Preventable post-production losses deprive farmers and other chain actors of food security and income. Post-harvest losses, in SE Asia for example, typically range from 15-25% in weight with additional losses of 10-30% from reduction of quality. Post-harvest management offers significant potential to increase food security and generate greater incomes.

Rice: Post-production to Market introduces participants from all sectors, including research, extension, NGOs and private sector representatives, to critical issues and challenges in reducing post-production losses. This includes: 1) being able to identify and measure losses at all points in the post-production chain, from harvest to market; 2) evaluating technology options for harvesting, threshing, drying, storage, and milling of paddy; 3) learning how to use methodologies and tools to assess local post-harvest chains, mapping actors, and use of a business plan for introducing or scaling out suitable technology options.

Rice: post-production to market will provide the knowledge and skills to help post-production actors reduce these losses and increase value from a rice crop. Participants will leave the course qualified to evaluate and introduce improved technologies to farmers and other actors for better post-production management.

OBJECTIVES

The participants will gain knowledge and skills in the design and management of post-production processes. Successful candidates will be awarded the IRRI Accredited Post-harvest Trainer which qualifies them in:

• Practical post-production skills.
• Use of the IRRI Quality kit for assessing the quality of paddy, milled rice & seeds.
• Understanding and assessment of rice markets and rice quality standards.
• An overview of suitable technologies at IRRI in-country for post-production.
• Developing a project design and implementing a business plan involving multiple ‘actors’ in the post-production area.
• Familiarity with post-harvest knowledge sources.

PARTICIPANTS

A maximum of 25 participants will be representatives of national agricultural systems, NGOs and the private sector. The persons selected will be involved in post-production activity and will have the potential to provide leadership in developing and improving post-production activity in their work.

DATE & VENUE

October 28 - November 8, 2013
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

CONTACT INFORMATION

Noel Magor
Head, Training Center
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel No: (63-2) 580-5600
Fax No: (63-2) 891-1292; 580-5699
E-mail: IRRITraining@irri.org