QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- As more Filipinos are drawn to farming, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS) released another one of its illustrative guides (IG), this time for milling rice, to encourage more participation.

The DA-BAFS has released its Illustrative Guides (IG) for the Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Postharvest Machinery - Rice Mill - Specifications (PNS/BAFS PABES 303:2020) and Methods of Test (PNS/BAFS PABES 304:2020).

The IG for Rice Mill - Specifications contains detailed illustrations of different parts of the rice mill, its methods of operation, fabrication requirements and the proper marking and labeling of the machine. It also specifies the general requirements for ensuring the safety of machine operators, and the workmanship and finish of a rice mill.

Meanwhile, the Methods of Test presents the standard procedures for sampling agricultural machinery and its components to verify the mechanism, specifications and performance of the rice mill. It also serves as a reference in identifying the effect of milling on grain quality through laboratory analysis, as well as evaluating the handling and safety procedures to ensure the safety of the machine operators.

One of members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) from the University of the Philippines Los Baños - Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (UPLB-AMTEC) suggested the inclusion of the IG in the training and refresher course on the rice milling test being conducted by AMTEC.

The Bureau is hopeful that this initiative will encourage manufacturers and fabricators, including rice mill fabricators, test engineers and farmer organizations, in adopting modern, appropriate, cost-effective and environmentally safe rice machinery and equipment while ensuring the safety of the farmers.

A rice milling system appropriate for Philippines’ widely planted rice varieties is contributory in producing whole rice kernels that are sufficiently milled, free of impurities, and contain a minimum number of broken kernels. To view or download the guides and other rice-related knowledge products, visit BAFS website through http://bafs.da.gov.ph.  (DA-BAFS/PIA-NCR)