Can Tho (VNA) - The installation of automated processing lines in amajor rice mill is set to boost hi-tech marking in Can Tho city, officials said.

The Phung Hoang Rice Export Import JointStock Company, in co-operation with Swiss group Buhler, has automated allproduction lines in one of its rice mills.

The automated production lines at the PhungHoang 3 Rice Mill, which began operating on April 20, allows the mill toprocess 60 tonnes of rice per hour.

All activities, including separating paddyfrom husk, whitening rice and removing almost 95 percent of impurities, areautomated. Phung Hoang is the first enterprise in Vietnam to apply thistechnology.

Le Van Tam, Vice Chairman of the Can ThoPeople’s Committee, said the new processing method deployed by Phung Hoang 3Rice Mill will contribute positively to high-tech farming development in thesouthern city.

Tam added that applying modern technologywill also help the city attract more investment, improve its competitivenessand facilitate deeper integration into the international market.

Can Tho cultivates rice on nearly 240,000haevery year, with about 90,000ha dedicated to the winter-spring crop. Foodproduction is estimated at about 1.5 million tonnes yearly, Tam said.

The new processing technology used by PhungHoang 3 Rice Mill has boosted rice consumption both in Can Tho city andneighbouring provinces like An Giang and Dong Thap, increasing the value ofrice and also ensuring the quality of rice for export, Tam said.

Othmar Hardegger, Swiss Consul General in HCMCity, noted that Vietnam was one of the world’s leading rice exporters withplenty of favourable conditions to maintain and increase its share in the worldmarket. However, in order to compete with foreign suppliers, it is essentialthat the country ensures that its rice meets international quality and foodsafety standards.

The latest technology and expertise of theBuhler Group will help Can Tho rice meet the standards, leading to improved labour productivity, safe working environment and better management onfood safety and hygiene.

Huynh The Nang, Chairman of the Vietnam FoodAssociation (VFA), praised Phung Hoang’s efforts to applying modern technologyin rice production. It was a bold decision by the company to adopt hi-techfarming, he said.

The Phung Hoang Rice Export Import JointStock Company, established in 2007, is one of the leading rice exporters in Vietnam.The Phung Hoang 3 Rice Mill, located in Thoi Thuan ưard, Thot Not district, hasa daily capacity of 500 tonnes of rice that meets international standards.

Buhler is a leading Swiss company with morethan 150 years of experience in the field of grain processing. In addition to Vietnam,it is also present in Thailand and India, other leading rice producers andexporters.

In 2016, Buhler opened a factory in Long An,marking its presence in Vietnam. Phung Hoang was the first company in Vietnamto use Buhler’s technology in rice production and processing.-VNA