Cereals processing technology

Rice production 93
Based on water regimes, ricelands can be classified as upland (with no standing
water), rain-fed lowland (with 5–50 cm of standing water), deepwater (with
>51 cm standing water), and floating (with from 101 cm to 5–6 m of standing
water). The irrigated areas will continue to dominate production. Irrigated land
now comprises about half the total harvested area but contributes more than twothirds
of the total production.
It will be necessary to develop sufficient component technology for crop
management, such as tillage method, and control of insects, diseases, weeds, and
nematodes. Further, it is necessary to develop varieties with suitable plant type,
maturity, and management characteristics, and develop the know-how to
manage the crops under a range of conditions of fertility, tillage, water, and
labor availability.
5.3.8 Development of new cultivars
The areas under irrigation are increasing for rice production, so efforts to
develop cultivars and technology that would produce higher yields than those
currently in use are being intensified.
5.3.9 New technology
Fertilization
One area of recent concern is increasing fertilizer use efficiency. Agronomists
have demonstrated that deep placement of nitrogen fertilizer increased
efficiency, sometimes saving 40% of fertilizer nitrogen with no reduction in
grain yield.
Mechanization
The modern technology is referred to as seed-fertilizer technology. However,
throughout Asia, the concept of modernization is closely associated not only
with biological and chemical technology but also with mechanical technology.
The biological and chemical technology is thought of primarily as saving land
and the mechanical technology as saving labor.
Weed control is an operation that needs to be mechanized, especially in the
rain-fed areas under dry seeding. Threshing is another operation where
mechanization would be helpful. At present, losses in threshing are high in
most farms in tropical Asia.
5.3.10 Genetic modification
Genetic engineering and biotechnology have brought in the new knowledge to
map the genetic structure of plants and animals, and to rearrange genes within a
species, as well as transfer genes between species. These techniques have been
used to produce genetically modified (GM) seeds, rice, and fiber. Genetically
modified organisms (GMOs) are here. Some estimates state that the processed