The adoption and impacts of improved parboiling technology for rice value chain upgrading on the livelihood of women rice parboilers in Benin

Food insecurity and child malnutrition remain persistent problems in sub-Saharan Africa. Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population. However, white rice poor micronutrients records higher glycemic values compared to parboiled rice. An improved parboiling system called “Grain quality enhancer, Energy-efficient durable Material” (GEM short) allows processing with better physical nutritional properties traditional systems. This paper assessed drivers impact adoption GEM on women’s livelihoods. A total 822 women parboilers were randomly sampled interviewed Benin, regions where was introduced. We employed endogenous switching regression model (ESR) assess system. found evidence that increased parboilers’ output rate (dehulling return), income security reduced poverty. The estimated at 14.38 kg milled per 100 paddy (21.46%), equivalent US$ 7.25 additional (17.77%). significantly lower poverty 26% among households due These results are supported by perceptions rate, value reduction broken during dehulling major advantages Policy actions such as training local fabricators credit options required out-scaling sustainability