The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) is targeting to complete by end-2022 the development of fluidized bed dryers to improve the grain drying process and quality of palay or unmilled rice.
In a statement sent over the weekend, PHilMech said two prototypes of the fluidized bed dryer in Nueva Ecija are undergoing testing, evaluation and improvement.
Two cooperatives are involved in the testing process: the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka Agricultural Primary Multipurpose Cooperative in Tabaco, Talavera, and the Bagong Buhay ng Mabini Primary Multipurpose Cooperative in Mabini, Sto. Domingo.
PHilMech expressed optimism that farmers’ cooperatives and associations will gain interest in using fluidized bed dryer once the system is ready for commercialization as more and more farmers are becoming aware of the need to adopt technologies.
“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,” said PHilMech executive director Baldwin Jallorina.