AI and Smart Tech: The New Secret Sauce for Rice Milling Profits
Experts at the Bharat International Rice Conference 2026 reveal how AI, continuous drying, and byproduct use can transform India's rice milling industry.
India's rice milling sector is standing on the brink of a technological revolution. Industry leaders at the Bharat International Rice Conference 2026 have sounded a clarion call for the adoption of AI in rice milling, continuous drying systems, and smarter byproduct management to slash grain breakage and eliminate buyer rejections.
The AI Gap: Catching Up With China
While India remains a global powerhouse in rice production, its processing technology has lagged behind. Samresh Chatterjee, Director and Co-founder of Kinetic Group, pointed out a significant gap between India and China, noting that while China has fully embraced artificial intelligence in its milling processes, India has yet to do so on a large scale.
However, the tide is turning. Chatterjee revealed that AI-driven technology could begin infiltrating Indian factories within the next six months. The vision is a fully automated setup where AI manages critical stages, including:
- Husking and Whitening
- Polishing and Colour Sorting
- Precision Blending
The impact of this shift would be profound. Instead of relying heavily on manual labour and human intervention, a single operator could set the production parameters, allowing the AI to oversee the entire operation with mechanical precision.
"In India we do not have AI till date in our rice milling industry. But China is using it fully," said Samresh Chatterjee, highlighting the urgent need for modernisation.
Continuous Drying: The Key to Higher Yields
Beyond AI, the industry is looking at "continuous drying" as a game-changer for grain quality. J.P. Sharma, head of key account management at Bühler Group, emphasized that this technology is essential for improving rice recovery and maintaining the integrity of the grain.
According to Sharma, switching to continuous drying can offer two major advantages:
- Increased Yield: It can boost overall yield by 1 to 2 per cent.
- Energy Efficiency: It significantly reduces steam consumption during the process.
He further noted that milling efficiency isn't just about the machines themselves, but a holistic approach that includes better paddy procurement, rigorous cleaning, and precise moisture management.
Turning Waste Into Wealth: Byproduct Utilisation
Profitability in rice milling isn't just about the final grain; it's about what happens to the leftovers. Ajay Sharma, National Vice-President of Basmati at IREF, stressed that managing rice bran, husk, and broken rice is where the real hidden margins lie.
He advised that rice bran must be processed and sold rapidly to prevent value loss. Additionally, better grading and polishing techniques can increase the market value of broken rice. Sharma estimated that proper byproduct management could increase overall profitability by at least 1.5 per cent.
The Ethanol Connection and Economies of Scale
The rise of the ethanol industry has provided a new lifeline for non-Basmati rice millers. J.P. Sharma noted that ethanol producers have created a robust market for broken rice, which was previously a difficult commodity to sell.
Sagar Ratnani, Director of Sai Hanumanth Industries, shared that his business model relies heavily on economies of scale. By integrating captive solvent extraction, ethanol production, and husk pellet plants, millers can transform waste into diversified revenue streams.
The consensus among the experts is clear: for India to remain competitive on the global stage, the industry must move away from traditional methods and embrace an integrated approach combining AI, advanced drying, and total byproduct recovery.