This skills section examines the different factors that affect grain quality, and explains how to measure grain quality characteristics for both paddy and milled rice.
Quality of rice is not always easy to define as it depends on the consumer and the intended end use for the grain. All consumers want the best quality that they can afford. As countries reach self-sufficiency in rice production, the demand by the consumer for better quality rice has increased. Traditionally, plant breeders concentrated on breeding for high yields and pest resistance. Recently the trend has changed to incorporate preferred quality characteristics that increase the total economic value of rice. Grain quality is not just dependent on the variety of rice, but quality also depends on the crop production environment, harvesting, processing and milling systems.
The quality characteristics of paddy and milled rice can be considered separately.