The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on 1 September 2016 hosted a technology workshop organized with the Centre for Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Indonesia (CRECPI) to discuss technology, operational and management options for improving productivity in micro rice milling units in Karawang, West Java.

An estimated 180,000 rice milling units operate in Indonesia to mill the annual crop of some 70 million tons paddy. The vast majority are micro-units, milling a few tons paddy a day for local market, including in the Karawang – Subang area in the middle of the West Java rice bowl. Energy use and product losses are high, whereas byproducts are underutilized. Improving productivity starts with better paddy drying, either by optimizing sun drying, construction of low cost solar dryers (greenhouses) or using rice husk in mechanical paddy dryers. Further environmental and economic benefits are possible with comprehensive use of rice husk, including as a substitute renewable fuel in other sectors. The workshop took place within the framework of the Indonesian RECP programme funded by the Government of Switzerland (SECO).