Designing Small Scale Rice Milling Technology for Rural Bioresource Processing: Engineering and User Perspectives

Abstract

Small scale rice milling is an important component of rural bioresource processing systems, yet many existing machines do not match the operational conditions and needs of smallholder farmers. Common constraints include inefficient processing of small paddy volumes, suboptimal milling yield, limited mobility on narrow rural roads, and high fuel consumption. This study aims to (1) identify user and stakeholder requirements for small-scale rice milling technology and (2) determine engineering design considerations for adaptive and efficient processing systems. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining qualitative interviews with 10 key informants analyzed using NVivo and a quantitative survey involving 300 small-scale rice farmers in West Java, specifically in Garut, Sukabumi, and Tasikmalaya. Design priorities were structured using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach. The results identified seven main design priorities: ease of use, milling capacity, product quality, functionality, portability, affordability, and energy efficiency. Priority analysis shows that product quality (18.6%), ease of use (18.5%), and energy efficiency (15.3%) are the most important engineering considerations. These findings provide practical design directions for developing appropriate small-scale rice milling technology that is efficient, affordable, and suitable for rural bioresource processing systems.