As part of Department of Agriculture's effort in improving efficiency in the rice postharvest industry, a National Training Workshop on the Implementation of the DA-Drying Program in Support to Farm Clusters was conducted at the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension [BPRE] on August 8-9, 2007.
In line with this program, DA promotes the adoption of appropriate and efficient drying technologies, like the use of the flatbed dryer technology. This dryer is found to have lower drying cost compared to other existing mechanical dryers mainly because of the use of rice hull as fuel, low labor requirement, low repair/maintenance cost and higher drying capacity.
The workshop aimed to familiarize and train the implementers and would-be adopters on the design, installation and operation of the flatbed dryer.
Participants comprised of Regional Rice coordinators, Regional Agricultural Engineering Group [RAEG] chiefs, National Irrigation Administration [NIA] engineers and BPRE zone team and technical staff who will be involved in the implementation of DA's mechanical drying program.
Dir. Arnel Ramir M. Apaga of the Training and Extension Department discussed how mechanical drying will support rice clusters through the provision of flatbed dryers.
The design consideration of the flatbed dryer was tackled by Dir. Ruben E. Manalabe of the Postharvest Engineering Department.
The dryer is simple to construct and operate. It has concrete walls and perforated metal floor. It dries paddy with an initial moisture content of 24% to 14% using a drying temperature of 40-45ºC. This technology is also equipped with biomass furnace that can supply heat for 10,500 cfm. An axial fan with rated capacity of 10,500 cfm provides the drying air.
About 900 units of flatbed dryer will be installed nationwide in strategic areas in the country. The dryer is seen to reduce significant losses and quality deterioration of harvested grains especially during rainy seasons when sundrying is unreliable.
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