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

SUCCESS STORIES

Sent of God Foundation and the Compact Corn Mill
by Jett Molech G. Subaba (March 18, 2019)
Inside a 68-hectare walled community is a paradise—a harmonious place of farm animals, fruit-bearing trees, bountiful crops and spiritually devoted people, all in one. In the midst of its beauty rises the fear confronting the supply of rice in this self-sufficient community. Thanks to the PHilMech Compact Corn Mill, worries will be resolved at last!

They consider this place and everything inside as sent by God, thus called the “Sent of God Foundation” located at Barangay San Isidro, Magalang Pampanga. This foundation ventured into agriculture since their founding year in 1972, planting sweet potatoes, then rice and corn in the latter years. The once seemingly desert and barren land becomes a fruitful and productive one.

According to Brother Ricardo Lopez Trumata, 62, the most recent El Niño phenomenon in the country worried them and thought of finding a corn mill so they can mix it up with rice since the whole community consumes two bags of rice daily.

In their search for a corn mill, they found out that PHilMech was developing a compact-type corn mill in Nueva Ecija , led by Dr. Michael A. Gragasin. Because of their eagerness to avail of the technology, they were able to test it and finally bought one unit in 2016. Engr. Jayvee Ilustrisimo helped installed and condition the technology.

Brother Alexander Morales, in-charge of the corn mill’s operation, sees much potential in the technology. It can produce many by-products of corn like the cracked corn, the different corn grits sizes and the corn flour.

“Once you pour the corn into the technology, it will deliver many by-products which are ready for utilization. In our case where we only need a small amount for different purposes, it is very fitting to us,” Morales said.

Moreover, Brother Rick emphasizes that the corn mill is less laborious in operations, has cheaper electricity consumption and has a nice and clean product. “The technology is not labor intensive unlike the hammer mill. As I see it, if you will use it for commercial purposes this technology is really good. It also offers cheap electricity consumption,” Trumata said.