The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) is targeting to complete by the end of the year the development of an improved fluidized bed dryer using two prototypes.
PhilMech said the machines currently undergoing testing, evaluation and improvement in Nueva Ecija are eyed to increase palay milling efficiency in the country.
“The current prototype model now has a bigger capacity and once commercialized, will be of great benefit to palay farmers as much of the drying of their harvests are still being done on the road. During rainy weather, most palay farmers have a hard time drying their harvests,” said Baldwin Jallorina, PhilMech executive director, in a statement.
PhilMech added one of the best features of the prototype fluidized bed dryer is it results in the uniform drying of palay which in turn assures high quality of rice.
PHilMech said steps to improve the fluidized drying technology were undertaken in 2020 to respond to the pandemic. The current prototype has the capacity to dry 20 to 24 tons of palay per 10 to 12 hours of drying cycle using diesel fuel.
Two cooperatives based in Nueva Ecija are involved in the testing, evaluation and improvement of the fluidized bed dryer. These are the Nagkakaisang Magsasaka Agricultural Primary Multipurpose Cooperative in Tabaco, Talavera; and the Bagong Buhay ng Mabini Primary Multipurpose Cooperative in Mabini, Sto. Domingo.
