Learning best practices for maintaining the highest quality product
Jun 26, 2023
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Last week, USA Rice hosted five officials from Iraq’s Foodstuffs Division to learn about rice storage protocols and fumigation best practices.
An expert in the field, Rolando Brenes Morales, provided an all-day training to the attendees with practical ways to prevent, control, and manage pest risks.
Iraq’s Foodstuffs Division handles the port logistics including storage, bagging, and transporting rice.
“The attendees had spirited questions throughout the presentation from wondering why certain pests are more prevalent from some countries, to understanding the cycle of certain insects and how mitigation strategies are different for the adult, eggs, and larvae stages,” said USA Rice Vice President International Sarah Moran who attended the training.
The day concluded with Valerie Brown, the counselor for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service in Dubai, UAE, providing certificates of completion to the attendees.
“This training will help to improve storage practices so that U.S. rice shipped to Iraq will remain high quality until it reaches the consumer,” said Moran.
Iraq is a top ten market for U.S. rice and the second largest export market for U.S. long grain milled rice.