Quality and Grading

As countries reach self-sufficiency in rice production, the demand by the consumer for better quality rice has increased. Quality of rice is not always easy to define as it depends on the consumer and the intended end use for the grain. Grain quality is not just dependent on the variety of rice, but quality also depends on the crop production environment, harvesting, processing and milling systems.

Characteristics Considered for Grading of Milled Rice

• Dead rice, brokens and brewers percentages
• Defectives
• Foreign matter
• Presence of paddy
• Whiteness
• Chalkiness
• Moisture content

Objectives of establishing standards and grades

• To ensure only edible rice reaches the consumer.
• To improve post harvest practices so as to eliminate or reduce waste.
• To improve agronomic practices to increase farm yields.
• To improve processing practices for better milling recoveries and for market expansion.
• To protect consumers from price/quality manipulation.

Grades of Indian Rice

• Common variety: Short bold & long bold rice
• Fine variety: Medium slender rice
• Superfine variety: Long slender & short slender rice