Technical assessment of rice mills in some selected locations

Abstract

Seven rice mills in the Eastern, Greater-Accra, Volta and Western Regions were assessed for the physical conditions, their abilities to mill rice of consistently high quality as well as the technical and administrative set up of the mill houses. The mill assessed were "mini rice mills" using rubber rolls, popularly referred to as "Satake mills" although many of such mills are not of the "Satake" model. Most of the mill operators had been in the business for a long time, their skills had been acquired "on-the-job" and they had had no formal training in mill operation and maintenance. The installed capacity of the mills ranged from 500 to 600kg/hr although the actual capacity utilization of the mills was difficult to determine as no proper records were kept at the mill houses. The milling recovery of the mills assessed ranged from 59.5% for the Adom Rice mill at Akuse to 68.0% for the Kakov mill at Hohoe. However, the Kakpov mill had the highest level of brokens at 32.73% as a result of the deficient techniques used. As regards to cleanliness some of the mill houses were not up to standard. There is the need for regular clean up exercises in and around the mill houses. Paddy and milled rice need to be stored separately on pallets and in a standard manner to allow for aeration and to keep out rodents. Kakpov and Amoako and Sons mills need structural facelift. Most of the millers requested for training in the area of: general plant maintenance procedures, adjustment of mill to get the maximum efficiency, handling any newly introduced equipment (e.g. destoner), bookkeeping procedures. This training will be provided by the Food Research Institute