Camarines Sur, which is about 450 kilometers drive south of Manila, features a fascinating blend of natural riches and religious heritage drawing tourists to its wonder and challenge. Not only does it give a momentary escape from the sprawling metropolis but it also has a fertile land cultivated for agriculture.

Though the province may be far to reach, the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) has recognized the need to help the farmers in the area by providing postharvest technologies. This way, farmers would be empowered to be self-reliant and productive making food abundant, accessible and affordable.

Drying, for one, is a very critical rice postharvest operation especially when rainy days come. Thus, the bureau situated a flatbed dryer at the Hinagyanan Integrated Farmers' Association in Brgy. Bonot, Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

The flatbed dryer is part of the BPRE project `Sustainability of Community-Based Grain Drying Center (CDC) Established as Public Investment` which is intended to reduce postharvest losses and expand the income earning opportunities of farmers by providing easy access to grain drying facilities.

The dryer is equipped with an indirect-fired multi-fuel biomass furnace which uses rice hull and corn cobs as fuel. The furnace can provide the heat source for mechanical dryers, sufficient enough to dry grains from 31 percent to 14 percent moisture content in 6 to 8 hours.

Drying on rainy days

For many years, farmers in this place depended on sundrying for their harvested grains which was then the only way to save their products from deterioration.

`Kapag panahon nun ng tag-ulan, wala kaming magawa kasi wala naman kaming machine na pantuyo ng palay at mais. Kaya kadalasan, nasisira ang butil. (When rainy season would come, we couldn't do anything because we didn't have a machine that could dry palay and corn. Thus, more often, the grains would just be wasted),` Mr. Ernesto delos Reyes Sr., Chairman of the Hi-Farm IA revealed.

Due to wasted grains, the profit that the farmers would have gained to cover-up their expenses would only turn to unreasonable losses.

`Pero ngayon sa tulong ng flatbed dryer, anumang oras, safe yung palay. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat namin kasi kahit malayo kami ay nabahaginan kami ng ganitong proyekto. (But now, through the flatbed dryer, the grain is safe anytime. That's why we are really thankful because though we are afar, we are being shared with programs like this),` he told.

He also added, `Maganda ang kalidad ng napatuyong butil dahil sa tulong ng biomass furnace (The good quality of dried grains is due to the biomass furnace installed).

The association which has 230 members with 120 hectares are now benefiting from the flatbed dryer.

According to Mr. delos Reyes, the farmers in their place no longer dread the coming of rainy days because they already have the flatbed dryer that can save their grains from deterioration.

Compared to solar drying, the flatbed dryer produces good quality grains. Drying is also faster and easier as it accommodates large volume of grains.

Moreover, the road going to the flatbed dryer was initially rugged which made hauling more difficult. Thus, Mr. delos Reyes sought the help of the local government for the concreting of the road to facilitate easier delivery of their products.

`Malaki ang suporta sa amin ng gobyerno dito. Sa tulong nila, nasemento ang daan namin kaya hindi na kami nahihirapan sa pagdadala ng mga palay at mais. (The government is very supportive to us. Through their help, the roads are concreted that's why it's no longer difficult for us to carry our palay and corn),` he said.

He also added that through the LGU, the walling of the flatbed dryer is also on-going to protect the dryer from heavy rains.

In a recent visit of Sec. Arthur C. Yap in Bicol Region, Mr. delos Reyes had the chance to hand over a Resolution of Thanks to him of which the Secretary was so delighted.

`Sabi ni Secretary, sa pag-iikot daw niya sa buong Pilipinas, kami lang daw ang nakita niyang nagpasalamat sa binigay na flatbed dryer. (Secretary told that in all his visits around the Philippines, we are the only people who thanked him for the flatbed dryer),` he shared.

The Secretary even told them not to hesitate in informing him their requests. `Sumulat lang daw kami sa kanya at gagawin niya ang kanyang makakaya para matugunan ito (He told us that we just write our requests and he will do his best to grant it),` he added.

Though the rains start pouring again, farmers in Bicol can guard their grains from possible deterioration. For a drying technology is just within reach.