the most modern rice processing plant I've seen

After the rice value-addition seminar, the FFTC-KU organisers brought the participants to one of the biggest rice processing companies in Thailand: the Khao Charoen Pokphand Co. Ltd. It sells Thai rice both domestically and internationally under the Royal Umbrella brand. We were met by the Vice President of the company; he introduced us to the company and walked us through the facility to show rice is processed there.

Thai rice, particularly Hommali, is the company's major product. It has been voted best rice in the world several times, showing how important quality is for Thailand. For someone from a rice importing country, I begin to realise how different the perspectives between producers and consumers are. 

The VP told us that the company has multiple plants. We were in the Nakornluang facility in Ayutthaya (about 90 minutes from Bangkok). Aside from rice, the company also had vegetable, poultry, piggery, and dairy factories which can supply consumers with pre-cut meats and ready-to-eat food. While watching the video about the company overview, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for vegetarians and animal rights activists because it appeared to me that the chicken were indoors all their lives (from eggs to chicken meat). They appeared to have grown up in crowded cages throughout the process. Having said that, the conditions were visibly more hygienic and comfortable for the chicken than the backyard poultry farms where they are cooped up in very hot and dirty facilities.

Before we were oriented about the facility, we were told a few house rules: no photography inside the facility; no jewellery, accessories, and bags allowed; and avoid contamination by wearing booties, masks, and head covers. These are reminiscent of my days at Antonina, though I thought that rice is not as high-risk as milk products.

Though I look like I was not paying attention, I was actually taking notes on my phone while the other participants were recording videos of the video presentation. That happened because I didn't bring a pen and paper with me.

The VP showed us the control centre, where there were large monitors through which the staff could see the operations in the different facilities. They also use the SAP system to handle logistics, and they track the delivery trucks through GPS to ensure timely transportation of the products. It was very high-tech... I didn't realise until then how modern a rice processing facility could be!

We were also shown the actual processing plant; the rice grain delivery is dumped onto a giant bucket which is then lifted up seven floors. Once at the right level, the rice is then tipped over a hopper. The system then gets the rice sorted from foreign matter (a critical control point) and further sorted to remove grains with off-colour. The rice that passes these points than proceed to the packaging stage and end up in sealed bags ready for shipping by boat or by truck. I noted that there were only a few people on the floor. The system is pretty much closed, allowing for minimal contamination.

As with any production plant, there must be quality control. In Khao C. P., this is taken on a different level. After all, the company has to make sure its products pass stringent requirements of its clients. There's a storage area for all the raw materials and finished goods; these are kept as reference materials for keeping quality and for traceability purposes. Then there's a lab where purity of samples is tested using DNA. A sensory laboratory with a kitchen was also set up and a physicochemical laboratory was also in place. We didn't get to see the package testing facility but I saw that it's right behind the GC-MS room where the tech assess for aroma.

After our field trip, I looked back at amazement at how this facility processes rice. The commitment to quality and efficiency and to helping improve farmers' lives is evident. Hence, the company has become the fourth largest Thai rice exporter.

I'm just in awe of the place. I wish the Philippines will have a facility as modern for this for commodities it develops domestically... in case we don't have one just yet. It could be for rice or for corn or for coconut.