Product Type: Grains – Rice
Stage: Production & Harvesting, Handling & Storage
Problem: Delays in handling and drying of rice leads to low-quality or unsalable rice
Solution: Develop flatbed rice dryers suitable for economies with high fuel costs or prevalence of smallholder farmers

1. Flatbed rice dryers were initially unfeasible for wide adoption because capacity was too large for smallholder farmers but too small for commercial use.
   
2. Nong Lam University in Vietnam modified flatbed dryer technology to increase capacity from 1 ton to 4 and 8 tons and to use rice husks as fuel. This allowed cooperative use of flatbed dryers for rice among smallholders and also encouraged commercial investment and procurement.
   
3. The International Rice Research Institute partnered with Nong Lam University, national, and private stakeholders to introduce the modified flatbed dryer technology in Southeast Asia.
   
4. Training and distribution of dryers reduces postharvest losses as farmers no longer rely on sun drying and unpredictable weather which can ruin grain.