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

PHilMech evaluates flatbed dryer recipients nationwide
by Vladimir B. Caliguiran (August 25, 2010)
The mechanical drying program of the Department of Agriculture does not end on establishing drying facilities. DA through PHilMech continuously monitor the dryers` utilization, conducts capacity building, coaching and mentoring, and provides technical assisstance to flatbed dryer (FBD) recipients nationwide.

According to Engr. Aldrin E. Badua, acting chief of the Agri-Infra unit of PHilMech, this activity is necessary to monitor the utilization of all the dryers nationwide to be able to realize the objective of the program and the investment of the government on the facilities.

The activity aims to gather data on FBD utilization, and analyze factors affecting the utilization rates of the dryers. Moreover, the activity intends to formulate solutions to the problems encountered by the recipients during the operation and maintenance in preparation for the upcoming harvest season.

Also, the group is presenting alternative measures on some technical problems met by the recipients. Two of these are the furnace made of carbonized rice hull and the bamboo and net as a replacement to the metal perforated flooring.

Furthermore, stories of FBD users who successfully adapted the technology and made improvements on technology like shed extension and addition of mechanical mixer is being shared to the farmers.

The activity also serves as a venue to identify the utilized units and those that are subjected for relocation.

The presentation of sustainability plan and action planning are also included in the activity to attain the objectives of reducing postharvest losses in drying and to have an additional food supply in the country.

The first assessment and monitoring activity was conducted in Bukidnon on July 27, 2010. Other areas are scheduled for evaluation until September. A total of 30 batches will be conducted all over the country.

There are 2,189 flatbed dryers distributed in rice producing provinces in the country. The dryer is equipped with biomass furnace thus it provides lower drying cost compared to existing kerosene-fed dryers. It can dry wet paddy to 14 percent moisture content in 10 to 12 hours.