Modern Rice Mill Machines in Nepal: Types, Prices and Buying Guide

Rice is the most important food as well as agricultural production for the people of Nepal. Rice, cooked or raw, and even paddy has deep roots in various Nepalese cultures. Besides consumption, it is used for offerings, alcohol production and even as makeshift glue in Nepal. 

Paddy is grown across Nepal, with the Terai region producing around 73% and low hills around 24% of the total production. Rice occupies largest share of farming land, contributes 7% to the country's GDP and 20% to the Agricultural GDP, thus is the backbone of economy. But, due to insufficient supply, Nepal spends over $200 million every year to import rice from other countries, mainly India.

Every year, an average person in Nepal eats about 137.5 kilograms of rice, which provides more than half of the total grains and a large portion of the protein supply. A 100g serving of white rice has around 80.3g carbohydrate, 7.04g protein and 1.03g fat. Brown rice contains slightly greater dietary fiber than white rice. 

As the income and living standards of people improves, the demand for better-quality rice varieties like fine, aromatic and long-grain is high. However, much of locally grown rice is still processed using old machinery and techniques that have low efficiency. This often leads to broken grains and lower quality. Upgrading to modern rice mills (dhaan kutne mill or dhikki) can be a key step toward helping Nepal become self-sufficient. This also presents a great rice processing business opportunity with reasonable investment.

This article explores the rice milling process, types of rice processing machines available in Nepal, their price and specifications.

Section Links

• Rice Milling Process
• Rice Mills Available in Nepal
• Comparison Table
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Rice Milling Process

Rice Milling is the process of processing harvested paddy (dhaan) into edible rice. It involves removing the outer husk and bran layers. The complete process is described as follows:

1. Paddy Pre-Processing:
   Paddy can contain impurities such as pebbles, soil and straw. These impurities can affect rice quality and damage milling equipment. Thus, in the pre-processing step, paddy is cleaned and such impurities are removed. In large industries, paddy pre-cleaner is usually 1.5 times the milling capacity.
2. Husking (Dehusking or Hulling)
   Brown rice is produced by removing husk from rough paddy. Husk is removed by passing paddy between two abrasive surfaces moving at different speeds.
3. Paddy separation
   After husking, a machine separates husk and brown rice. It also separates unhusked paddy. The brown rice obtained can also be consumed but, usually goes through polishing and turns into white rice.
4. Polishing (Whitening)
   White rice is produced by removing bran and germ layers from brown rice. Brown rice passes through a rice polisher, where friction or pressure gently removes the outer bran layer from the grain surface. As the bran layer is removed, the rice becomes smoother, whiter, and more visually appealing.
5. Grading (Sorting)
   In this step, rice grains are separated according to their size and quality. Small, broken or darker colored grains are differentiated from high-quality grains and stored or packaged accordingly.
6. Blending
   This process involves mixing rice grains of different grades to maintain consistent quality and appearance. Although blending is optional, it is often used to reduce production cost.
7. Packaging
   In this final step, the processed rice is packed into bags for storage, transport, and sale. Proper packaging protects the rice from moisture and contamination while making handling and distribution easier.

Rice Mill Machines Available in Nepal

1. Compact Rice Husker & Polisher

This is a two-in-one rice husker and polisher machine designed for small-scale rice processing. It is commonly used in small rice mills because it is easier to operate and requires lower investment.

2. Husker (Huller) Machine

Rice husker is used to remove husk from paddy. This turns paddy grains into brown rice (rato chamal). All the paddy may not be husked properly in one pass thus two or more passes may be required. It is commonly used in small to medium rice mills. It is suitable for operators who want a dedicated husking unit and already have or plan to add a separate motor.

3. Rice Polisher Machine

A rice polisher converts brown rice into white rice by removing the bran layer from the grain surface. This process improves the appearance, texture, and market value of rice. Rice polishers also produce rice bran, which can be used for oil extraction or animal feed.

4. Rice Husker & Polisher (Medium to Large Scale)

This series includes combined rice husker and polisher machines in four different models: SB5, SB10D, SB30, and SB50. They are medium to large scale machines with combined husking and polishing capabilities.

5. Rice Husker and Polisher with Elevator

This machine integrates a rice husker, polisher, and elevator system into a single unit. It is suitable for small to medium scale rice mills requiring automated compact system with destoner support.

• Integrated elevator lifts paddy directly into the milling hopper.
• Produces both white rice and brown rice with processing capacity up to about 500 kg/hour.
• Whole rice recovery can reach approximately ≥72% with broken rice ≤3%.

6. Mini Combined Rice Mill

This is a basic combined rice mill that can process both paddy and grains.

• Dual-purpose machine for rice milling and flour grinding.
• Disc mill attachment allows grinding of wheat, maize, and similar grains.
• Compact design suitable for household or small village milling.

7. Combined Rice Mill (Butterfly Model)

This butterfly-type combined rice mill also supports dual processing of paddy and grains.

• Dual-purpose system for rice milling and grain flour grinding.
• Safer enclosed milling chamber compared to traditional huller machines.
• Higher milling efficiency with reduced rice breakage.

8. Mini Rice Mill

This is a small-capacity rice mill designed for household use and small farms that need simple paddy-to-rice processing.

• Compact machine suitable for home or village use.
• Simple paddy hulling and rice polishing in one unit.

9. Mini Rice Pro Max

This upgraded mini rice mill includes impurity removal and rice grading features for cleaner rice output compared to basic mini mills.

• Integrated destoner removes stones and heavy impurities.
• Kanika separator separates broken rice from whole rice.
• Available in normal and cyclone models.

10. N70 Rice Mill

The N70 rice mill is a medium-capacity machine suitable for small commercial rice milling operations.

• Higher output than mini rice mills.
• Suitable for small rice milling businesses.

11. 6N70 Pro Rice Mill

The 6N70 Pro is an upgraded version of the N70 rice mill designed for higher efficiency and commercial use.

• Improved milling efficiency compared to standard N70.
• Designed for continuous small commercial rice milling.

12. N70PM / 6N70PM with Elevator Rice Mill

This model adds an elevator to the rice mill setup, helping automate feeding and improving the machine’s working efficiency. It is suitable for users who want a more complete medium-capacity rice milling solution.

• Integrated elevator automatically feeds paddy into the milling chamber.
• Includes impurity separator and broken rice separator for cleaner output.
• Reduces manual feeding and improves continuous milling operation.

13. N70-PM with Bhus Grinder

This machine combines rice milling with a bhus grinder setup, making it suitable for buyers who want rice processing and husk-related grinding in one system.

• Integrated bhus grinder allows utilization of rice husk by-product.
• Elevator-assisted feeding improves milling workflow.
• Dual-motor setup supports both rice milling and husk grinding.

14. 6N-2000 PRO MAX Rice Mill

The 6N-2000 PRO MAX is a next-generation milling solution designed for higher efficiency, longer service life, and improved rice quality. It is suitable for users who need a heavy-duty rice mill with larger commercial output.

• Advanced grain separator design for smoother discharge and cleaner rice output.
• Tungsten carbide milling blades improve durability and service life.
• Energy-efficient system that reduces power consumption per ton of rice processed.

15. Commercial Combined Rice Mill Plant

This is a complete rice milling production line designed for commercial rice processing. The system integrates machines for paddy cleaning, husking, whitening, grading, and conveying to produce high-quality white rice with minimal grain breakage.

• Includes paddy cleaner, destoner, rubber roller husker, paddy separator, rice mill, grader, elevators, and control system.
• Designed for continuous commercial milling with automated grain flow between machines.
• Optional grader size can be selected depending on required sorting capacity.

Comparison Table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which machines are suitable for small-scale rice mill?

The machines like combined rice mill, butterfly rice mill, mini rice mill, mini rice pro max and compact rice husker & polisher are suitable for rice processing in small scale. They have small to moderate capacity of 100-200 kg/hr making them ideal for household, small farms and village-level rice milling.

2. Which machines are suitable for medium-scale rice mill?

The machines like Rice Husker & Polisher, N70 Rice Mill and 6N70 Pro Rice Mill are suitable for rice processing in medium scale. They have moderate capacity of 400-600 kg/hr, better rice recovery and stable operation as compared smaller rice mills. Thus, they are suitable for medium scale rice milling business.

3. Which machines are suitable for large-scale rice mill?

The machines like Rice Husker & Polisher (Large Scale), Rice Husker and Polisher with Elevator, 6N-2000 PRO MAX Rice Mill and Commercial Combined Rice Mill Plant are suitable for rice processing in large scale. These machines include cleaners, destoners, huskers, paddy separators, polishers, graders and elevators for complete processing of paddy into white rice. They have large capacity of 600 to over 1500 kg/hr and are designed for continuous industrial rice processing.

4. Which rice mill machine can process 1 ton of rice per hour?

To process 1 ton or greater amount of rice i.e. paddy in an hour, large scale machines like Rice Husker & Polisher (Large Scale), 6N-2000 PRO MAX Rice Mill and Commercial Combined Rice Mill Plant are suitable. They are high-capacity machines that are capable of continuous processing.

5. What is the price of rice mill machines in Nepal?

The price of rice mills in Nepal varies depending upon the features and processing capacity. The typical price is:

• Mini rice mills: around NPR 30,000 – 60,000
• Medium rice mills: around NPR 1 lakh – 3 lakh
• Commercial rice mill plants: around NPR 9 lakh – 15 lakh or more.

6. How do I choose the right rice mill capacity for my needs?

The right rice mill capacity depends on daily paddy processing volume, electricity availability, and budget. Small farms usually need 100–200 kg/hr machines, small businesses use 400–600 kg/hr machines, while commercial mills require 1000 kg/hr or higher capacity rice milling systems.

7. Why does rice husking and polishing sometimes require multiple passes?

Depending upon the quantity of paddy processed in one pass and the nature of husker or polisher, two or more passes may be required. The abrasive surface of the husker or polisher may not be in contact with all the paddy grains and some may be left out thus two or more passes may be required.

8. What is brown rice (Rato Chamal) and how is it produced?

Brown rice, commonly called Rato Chamal in Nepal, is rice where the outer husk is removed but the bran layer remains intact. It is produced after the husking stage but before polishing. Brown rice contains more fiber, vitamins, and nutrients than fully polished white rice.

9. What factors affect the rice recovery rate during milling?

Rice recovery depends on several factors including paddy moisture content, machine quality, milling settings, and grain variety. Properly dried paddy and well-maintained rice mill machines can significantly improve whole rice recovery and reduce broken grains.

10. What is the difference between a rice husker and a rice polisher?

Rice husker produces brown rice by removing the rough outer covering (husk) from paddy grains. Rice polisher produces white rice by removing bran and germ layers from brown rice. The output of rice husker is the input of rice polisher.

11. What machines are included in a commercial rice mill plant?

A commercial rice mill plant typically includes paddy cleaner, destoner, rubber roller husker, paddy separator, rice polisher, rice grader, elevators, and a control system. These machines work together to process paddy into high-quality white rice efficiently.