Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Project Progress Report 026/VIE05 Investigation of rice kernel cracking and its control in the field and during post-harvest processes in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam MS6: Research/technical reports July 2007 NONG LAM UNIVERSITY 1. Institute Information Project Name Investigation of rice kernel cracking and its control in the field and during post-harvest processes in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam Vietnamese Institution Nong Lam University Vietnamese Project Team Leader Dr Vinh Truong Australian Organisation The University of Queensland Australian Personnel Associate Professor Bhesh Bhandari Professor Shu Fukai Date commenced April 2006 Completion date (original) March 2009 Completion date (revised) April 2009 Reporting period 12 months Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Bhesh Bhandari Telephone: +61733469192 Position: Associate Professor Fax:+61733651177 Organisation: The University of Queensland Email:b.bhandari@uq.edu.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Mr Kerry Johnston Telephone: +61 7 3365 7493 Position: Research support officer Fax: +61 7 33658383 Organisation: The University of Queensland Email: k.johnston@research.uq.edu.au In Vietnam Name: Vinh Truong Telephone: 84-8-7242527 Position: Head, Department of Chemical Engineering Fax: 84-8-8960713 Organisation: Nong Lam University Email: tv@hcmuaf.edu.vn 2 OUTLINE OF REPORT This report addresses the following milestone requirements:  The interim research report on optimal harvesting time and methods to reduce grain losses (Year 1 results)  Interim research report on optimal drying conditions for high temperature compact dryers and flat-bed driers (year 1 results) The report is divided into 3 sections: 1. Experimental results on harvesting time and methods in two seasons (rainy 2006 and dry 2007) 2. High temperature fluidised bed drying (using two rice varieties) 3. Experimental results on flat bed drying including survey results on the drying costs of various drying methods practiced in Mekong delta 3 . kernel cracking and its control in the field and during post-harvest processes in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam Vietnamese Institution Nong Lam University Vietnamese Project Team Leader Dr Vinh. Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development Project Progress Report 026/VIE05 Investigation of rice kernel cracking and its control in the field and during post-harvest processes. processes in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam MS6: Research/technical reports July 2007 NONG LAM UNIVERSITY 1. Institute Information Project Name Investigation of rice kernel