Innovating for change: Spotlight on a champion rice processor in Africa
On the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2019, the theme of which is “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change,” AfricaRice is saluting Mme Aichatou Camara, president of a 55-member women rice processors’ association in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire.
A strong advocate for innovating for change, particularly in rice processing, Mme Camara, along with her association, is a trailblazer in seizing the benefits of new technologies, such as the new energy-efficient and gender-responsive parboiling system called GEM.
Rice parboiling is a process that involves partial boiling of rice in the husk before milling to protect the rice from breaking during milling, preserve nutrition and enhance quality. The process is carried out mainly by rural women in Africa.
The demand for good quality parboiled rice is high in parts of Africa. But, the traditional parboiling process is laborious, time-consuming and unsafe, producing rice with impurities, broken and burnt grains and undesirable smell. It also requires lots of firewood and water.
Recognizing the invaluable contribution of rural women to sustainable development, AfricaRice has developed the GEM technology to reduce the drudgery of women rice processors, like Mme Camara, who are the backbone of food security for their families and communities.
The GEM is safer to operate and is equipped with hoists and rails to lift and move the heavy vessels in which the paddy is steamed with ease by women. It helps rural women produce cleaner and higher-quality rice that fetches higher price on the local market, enhancing their economic opportunities to build a better future.
GEM is more economical than traditional methods. It enables the women to process large quantities of paddy rice in a relatively short time. It also includes an eco-friendly stove that is fed by a solar-powered fan and runs on rice husk, which is a free and abundant fuel in rice-producing areas.
Two years ago, Mme Camara and members of her association underwent a training course on the use of the GEM rice-parboiling system. Empowered with technical knowledge and skills, they have turned rice parboiling into a profitable enterprise.
AfricaRice Lowland Rice Breeder Venuprasad Ramaiah on RICE Flagship Project 5
IRRI Former Head of Social Sciences Division Sam Mohanty on RICE Flagship Project 1
IRRI Senior Economist and Value chain specialist Matty Demont on RICE Flagship Project 2
CIAT Physiologist Maria Camila Rebolledo on RICE Flagship Project 4
Opening remarks : Consultation workshop on comparative rice competitiveness Asia-Africa
Dr Abdoulaye Touré on West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP)
Mr Aman Khanna on Rice Value Chain development: Guiding principles from Asia
Dr Martin Fregene on TAAT : Framework program in support of FEED AFRICA
Dr Fadel Ndiame on AGRA’s Model in engaging partners to deliver technologies
Dr Ladda Viriyangkura on Rice Value Chain Management in Thailand
Dr Ngin Chhay on Rice Sector Development in Cambodia
Mr Chandrashekhar on “Rice Value Chain – India’s experience”
Closing remarks : Consultation workshop on comparative rice competitiveness Asia-Africa
Dr Sali Ndindeng, Chercheur d’AfricaRice sur la Qualité des grains et technologies post-récolte donne un rapport synthétique sur le cours de formation sur "L'étuvage amélioré du riz"
Dr Sali Ndindeng, AfricaRice Grain Quality and Postharvest Technology Scientist summarizing the training course on "Improved rice parboiling"
Prof. Jean Nemlin, Director of Research and Lead of CNRA Post-harvest technologies and Central Laboratories speaking on the importance of parboiling in Côte d’Ivoire
Dr Ernest Depieu, CNRA Systems Agronomist talking on the potential of improved parboiled rice in Côte d’Ivoire
Mrs Soro Adjaratou, Women parboiler from Gagnoa, speaking of the benefits of the training course on "Improved rice parboiling"
Mrs Camara Assetou, head of the women’s cooperative SCOOPS FG, Bouaké speaking of the benefits of the training course on "Improved rice parboiling"
Interview du DG d'AfricaRice, Dr Harold Roy-Macauley, au SARA TV
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