Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
(044) 4560-213, od@philmech.gov.ph

NEWS STORIES

Nueva Vizcaya cooperators embrace Brown Rice Mill technology
by Jona T. Paulo (December 10, 2021)
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization conducted the “Training and Technology Demonstration of Brown Rice Impeller Micro Mill” in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya on November 26, 2021.

The training and techno demonstration aim to promote brown rice technology and engage farmers in value adding activities.

This is part of the ongoing COVID-19 response project, “Accelerating the Development and Adaptation of Brown Rice Mill for Filipino Rice Farmers” led by Dr. Michael Gragasin. The brown rice mill technology is among the technologies developed by PHilMech.

“Isa sa nakita namin na pwedeng makatulong sa kagaya nating indibidwal ay ang makinaryang ito. Ayon sa inyo (participants) ay 80 php/kilo ang presyo ng brown rice sa mga supermarket. Sa tulong ng makinaryang ito ay pwede tayong kumita hanggang 30 pesos per kilo,” Dr. Michael Gragasin said. “Pwede niyong ibenta ng 50 hanggang 60 php kada kilo ang brown rice kumpara sa bentahan sa supermarket at dun palang ay kikita na kayo,” he added.

A total of 31 participants from the Farmers Cooperatives and Associations, and brown rice farmers from different municipalities of Nueva Vizcaya attended in the training. There were 10 (32%) female participants and 21 (68%) male participants.

“Gender-friendly ang makinaryang ito. Madali lang ioperate at isa pa ay affordable ang makinaryang ito,” Virgilio Castillo of Samahang Magsasaka ng Wakal Inc. said.

“Pwede mong dalhin sa bahay-bahay kung gusto ninyong magkaroon ng allowance. Para sa kagaya nating kabataan ay pwede mo din itong pagkakitaan,” Angelito Cabicio of LGU Solano, Nueva Vizcaya mentioned.

“Magaan magtrabaho gamit ang rice mill na ito, mapa-bata at katulad kong may edad na ay di mahihirapan,” Amelia D. Guzman said.

This technology was also developed to cater the needs of individual farmers and small entrepreneurs. It was designed to be compact and gender-friendly.

During the techno demonstration, Engr. John Rey Cargamento of PHilMech served as technical staff for the specifications, parts, operation and maintenance of the technology.

Elmer Bolusan of Samahang Magsasaka ng Wakal Inc. shared his experiences in operating the Brown Rice Impeller Micro Mill. He also commended the technology for having a high recovery rate. “Mataas ang recovery rate nitong makinarya, sa 50 kilos na nakono, 38-40 kilos ang makukuha. Hindi tulad ng malalaking konohan, minsan kalahati lang ang recovery nila, sa 50 kilos mo ay 25 kilos lang ang matitira,” he said.