Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

PHilMech develops mechanized carrot washer
by Rodolfo P. Estigoy, Ph.D. (June 24, 2016)
The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) has developed a prototype machine that washes carrots and other root crops.

Tests conducted so far on the mechanized carrot washer showed an output of 1000kg/hr of carrots and 3000kg/hr of potatoes.

“The cleaning action was through tumbler rotation and spraying of water into the tubers inside the tumbler ,” said PHilMech Executive Director Rex L. Bingabing.

“Also compared to traditional manual washing of carrots which requires big volume of water, the mechanized washer reduced water consumption because of the control mechanism in the spray nozzles secured along the pressure pipes,” adds Bingabing.

“The washer is comprised of frame, tumbler , cover and washer and gear motor assembly… It is also capable of washing any size whether with or without stem of different root crops like carrots, potatoes and radishes,” said Engr. Donald Mateo of PHilMech, designer of the machine.

Based on a study by PHilmech, it is estimated that losses from upland vegetables range from 15 to 30%. Losses result from poor postharvest handling like washing of root-crops before the retail market.

“With the intervention of a technology like the carrot washer, it is expected that postharvest losses can be reduced by 20%,” said Mateo.

The current practice of washing carrots is done manually by first soaking, then washing these in a basin full of water. Ten to twelve laborers are needed to wash 2,000 to 3,000 kg of carrots per day. Manual washing of carrots may also damage the root crop and reduce the shelf life of the commodity while at the retail market.

The mechanized washer can solve the slow, tedious and laborious operation often done manually by traders at the trading posts.

The washer was launched during the occasion of the Highland Vegetable Investment Forum cum Trade Fair at the Benguet Agripinoy Trading Center(BAPTC) at the Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet on May 16-17, 2016. It was attended by the Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.