THE Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) is targeting to finish the development of the Fluidized Bed Dryer by the end of this year.
Dr. Baldwin Jallorina, PHilMech executive director, said two prototypes of the Fluidized Bed Dryer are now undergoing testing, evaluation and improvement in Nueva Ecija.
“The current prototype model now has a bigger capacity and once commercialized, will be of great benefit to palay (unmilled rice) farmers as much of the drying of their harvests is still being done on the road. During rainy weather, most palay farmers have a hard time drying their harvests,” he said.
One of the best features of the Fluidized Bed Dryer is it results in the uniform drying of palay which, in turn, assures the quality of the dried palay, said Dr. Romualdo Martinez of PHilMech’s Agricultural Mechanization Division and project leader for the development of the Fluidized Bed Dryer.
“Many farmers still dry their palay on the road and on concrete pavements. This does not assure the uniform drying of palay unlike advanced drying systems like the Fluidized Bed Dryer,” he said.
PHilMech took steps to improve the fluidized drying technology starting in 2020 under the agency’s program to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The prototype being tested by PHilMech now has the capacity to dry 20 to 24 tons of palay per 10 to 12 hours of drying cycle. It uses heat generated by a PHilMech-designed biomass furnace or a diesel burner. The technology also has electronic controls that lessens the need for laborers to operate.
Two cooperatives based in Nueva Ecija are currently involved in the testing, evaluation and improvement of the Fluidized Bed Dryer in cooperation with PHilMech: the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka Agricultural Primary Multipurpose Cooperative in Tabaco, Talavera; and the Bagong Buhay ng Mabini Primary Multipurpose Cooperative in Mabini, Santo Domingo.
On Dec. 10, 2021, PHilMech conducted a technology demonstrator for the Fluidized Bed Dryer in Barangay Mabini, Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija for more than 20 men and women farmers from different cooperatives for them to learn the actual operation of the technology.
PHilMech is optimistic farmers’ cooperatives and associations will gain interest on using the Fluidized Bed Dryer once it is ready for commercialization as more and more farmers are becoming aware of the need to adopt technologies.
SOURCE: https://www.manilatimes.net
