Jeerafool Rice Mill
Rice is a staple crop of Jharkhand. A number of indigenous varieties are cultivated in the state. But of late hybrid qualities are in vogue and traditional varieties are gradually becoming extinct. Jeerafool rice is one such variety which is scented small grained rice.
Before intervention by LEADS, the rice which is high on demand for making sweets like payasam,was sold as paddy itself as there were no processing units, and losses incurred due to improper processing. It is cultivated by 600 farmers in the Mahuadaar,Latehar assisted by SHG and producer groups. A 2KWH processing unit has been established with the support of Mahuadanr for Jeerafool rice.
LEADS made an intervention with the following objectives
• Develop and enterprise for solar energy based processing for scented rice
• Saving indigenous rice variety through involving community by forming community organisation of farmers like SHGs and PGs
• Improve the processing quality so that farmers don’t have to sell paddy, and hence have better earningEngage Covid-19 affected returning migrant workers to become self-reliant an
• d earn gainful income from agricultur
Economics
The paddy procured for processing costs Rs.30 per kg. It is done by the SHG. The processing costs Rs5/kg (including pre-processing, processing and other chargers of RS 1,3 and 1 respectively). 1 kg of produces 700gm of rice and hence the production cost per kg comes to around Rs50, and the market price for scented rice is Rs. 65.
Way Forward
LEADS aims to engage more farmers to undertake scented rice cultivation and processing using this solar based processing plant. With greater production economy of scale can further reduce the production cost. It aims to reach the total production of 40 tonnes by next year.
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