ABSTRACT
This study aims to analyze the determinants of the adoption of
improved parboiling equipment for paddy rice in Glazoué region.
The study consisted of a series of investigations led to
various scales: on the level of the transformers, consumers, traders and
various institutions which intervene in the promotion of the improved
parboiling equipment. The principal tools of collection and analysis of the
data are in conformity with the qualitative orientation of the subject.
However, it was essential for us to match the interpretation of our results by
quantitative information in order to concretize certain aspects.
The results obtained show that the improved parboiling
equipment contributes to improve the quality of rice which is well appreciated
by consumers (cleanliness of rice, taste, less broken and swells better during
cooking) and which is sold at a better price. The transformers agree on the
fact that the new equipment supports a fast drying, facilitates the transfer of
paddy after steaming and makes it possible to increase the yield after husking.
However, its relatively high cost limits its accessibility to the transformers.
Certain transformer also reported the high consumption of wood. But the
analysis of the data shows that this constraint, which the transformers link to
the improved parboiling equipment, would be partly due to the type of stove at
their disposal. Indeed, the majority of transformers use a stove made by three
stones. It thus results in a considerable loss in energy during steaming and
consequently high consumption of wood.
The results obtained also show that several actors are implied
in the diffusion of the parboiler. These include local NGOs (RABEMAR, Castor
appuis-conseils and Un Monde) supported by international NGOs VECO and
Helvétas; CeCPA Glazoué supported by the PSSA and the PADSA; the
CPAC and the UNIRIZ-C supported by international NGO Oxfam Quebec. However,
there is no synergy of action between these actors: several give the same
training to the same groups, whereas in some villages groups exist whose
members were never trained. Also, all the actors chose the existing rice
growers groups as a channel of diffusion of the parboiler. This skews the
diffusion of the parboiler, because in the zone of study there are three
categories of transformer: transformer-producers, transformer-collectors and
transformer-wholesalers. Only part of the transformer-producers is members of
the groupings. However, the producer-transformers steam small quantities of
paddy. This indicates that extension is oriented towards small transformers,
neglecting the large transformers.
The use of the Enterprise Web tool emphasized certain key
activities necessary for the adoption of the parboiler and which were not yet
taken into account by the intervening actors. These include the training of
millers and the provision of credit to transformers to purchase the parboiler
and the paddy, especially in period of abundance. In addition, we noticed that
there is no relation between the local artisans trained for the duplication of
the parboiler and the transformers (potential users). This will be necessary to
establish an effective local network.
At the end of this study, it appears advisable:
- to reinforce the functional and organizational capacity
groupings;
- to widen the formation of transformer with the non-members of
the groupings;
- to grant credit the women not only for the acquisition of the
parboiler but also for the
purchase of paddy;
- to train the women with the construction of improved stove;
- to connect the local artisans trained directly with the
transformers;
- to encourage the training of the local artisans;
- to initiate the training of the millers to the control of the
adjustment of the mills;
- to combine the training by information on the local radio
station.
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