Like in many Asian countries, rice is a staple part of every household in Brunei. Whether over shared meals on an ordinary day at home or during special occasions, rice is always at the center of every table. But while rice remains a vital part of daily life, ensuring a steady and sufficient supply is not as simple as it seems.
Despite its importance, Brunei faces an ongoing challenge: maintaining food security in a country with limited arable land and a heavy reliance on imports. Not having enough harvest for the whole nation is one thing, but losing a portion of what they already have makes the challenge even harder.
In 2022, the Brunei government entrusted Wasan Milling Company (WMC) with the critical task of managing the nation’s rice milling and storage operations. Their mission? To ensure a reliable, high-quality rice supply for Brunei’s growing demand.
Like many rice mills worldwide, WMC faced the same struggles in preserving rice quality while minimizing post-harvest losses. They would normally store rice paddies in their warehouse and then fumigate to combat infestations. However, this method came with challenges — chemical exposure risks, recurring costs, and the constant battle against pests and moisture.
Determined to find a safer, more sustainable way to protect rice, WMC sought a solution that would not only preserve the physical quality of rice but also maintain its nutritional value. Their journey led them to GrainPro and a partnership that transformed the way they stored and safeguarded the quality and longevity of their rice stockpile. The solution? The GrainPro Hermetic Cocoon.
By August 2023, just months after beginning operations, they worked with GrainPro to install the hermetic Cocoon in the Wasan Agricultural Development Area.
“But now, since we’ve been using this hermetic Cocoon, there is no fumigation required,” shares Aliiyah Ali, Production Officer at WMC. “Instead, we use carbon dioxide to reduce infestation, which is safer for the environment.”
The shift brought immediate results. By replacing chemical fumigation with a controlled atmosphere, WMC not only protected the rice more naturally but also improved overall food safety standards.
According to WMC, “By integrating this technology into our operations, WMC has significantly reduced post-harvest losses, preserved the grain’s quality for longer durations, and enhanced overall food safety standards. This allows us to store rice for extended periods while maintaining its freshness and edibility, even in Brunei’s humid climate.”
Beyond pest control, the GrainPro Hermetic Cocoon also provides economic and quality benefits. Controlling oxygen levels helps maintain the freshness of the rice paddy before milling, resulting in improved overall quality and efficiency.
“What drives us to use GrainPro Hermetic Cocoon is — one, because it saves our rental cost of storing the paddy, and at the same time, we can control the oxygen to maintain the freshness of the paddy before milling,”
adds Aliiyah.
Ensuring that every grain harvested is well-preserved means reducing waste, lowering costs, and strengthening the country’s self-sufficiency in rice production. To strengthen the sustainability of this project and the integrity of the Cocoons, WMC maintains their cleanliness and also their surrounding environment. Additionally, WMC ensures that the storage and handling areas are well-maintained and free from any potential contaminants. Doing so ensures the long-term use of the Cocoon and the overall success of the project.
“We believe that through our partnership with GrainPro, WMC is setting a new standard in rice storage and processing, helping to secure Brunei’s food future while adhering to environmentally friendly practices,” they say. “This is a major milestone in our journey towards strengthening the country’s rice industry and achieving sustainable agricultural growth.”
As Brunei continues to prioritize food security, solutions like the GrainPro Hermetic Cocoon stand as proof that sustainable innovations can nourish the future, one grain at a time.
Check out more stories from the field here ➜