Carbonized rice hull eyed for making biomass furnace in the Philippines

NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 2, 2010) - The carbonized rice hull is a good component and a low-cost alternative in making biomass furnace, according to the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization in Muñoz City here.

It said studies showed that CRH contains 87 percent of silica and when used or mixed with cement it can hold temperature ranging from 700˚C to 750˚C.

In 2008, the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (now PHilMech) implemented the mechanical drying support to farm clusters through the distribution of the improved flatbed dryers to qualified irrigators associations.

“At present, the project already distributed 2, 147 flatbed dryers to address the problems of the key palay producing provinces on drying. We prioritized them to ensure that their commodities will be dried and will not be wasted during the rainy season,” Ricardo L. Cachuela, PHilMech director said.

However, because of frequent and improper use of the dryer some of the furnaces collapsed.

Thus, PHilMech recommended the use of CRH as a backyard repair material for the furnace. They also reminded the farmers group that only trained personnel should operate the dryer.

Technical staff from PHilMech said the furnace is simple and easy to construct. The ratio is for every bag of concentrated cement, five bags of CRH are mixed.

The materials are made in block form and when dried after two weeks it can now be assembled like the original design.

“The flatbed dryer compared to solar drying using pavements is more economical and convenient to use. It can reduce postharvest losses and save on labor and time,” Badua said.

The Mabacan Irrigators’ Association (MIA) in Calauan, Laguna is one of the beneficiaries of the project and the first organization who used the CRH in repairing their furnace.

Maura Ilagan, MIA president said the CRH is a good remedy to damaged furnace. “We easily repaired our furnace. The materials (we used) are readily available and are affordable,” she said.

According to Ilagan, using the furnace made of CRH, they reduced the rice hull requirements in drying. “Before, the rice hull consumption in drying 120 cavans reached to 30 sacks. Now, we only need 25 sacks,” Ilagan said.

The MIA also offers drying services to farmers in its nearby towns like Bae and Pila also in Laguna because of the capability of the CRH-made furnace.

Comparing the traditional and the mechanical drying, Ilagan said, “we prefer the flatbed dryer compared to solar drying because we are assured of better grain quality.”

Aside from the MIA, the other Irrigators Associations in the country are now using the CRH as a low-cost material to repair the furnace. (Erwin S. Embuscado)

Low-cost moisture meter for grain farmers, traders developed in Nueva Ecija

NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines - Palay and corn farmers as well as traders in the country will no longer depend on the traditional way of determining the moisture content of their harvests.

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization of the Department of Agriculture based in Muñoz City has developed a low-cost SHEGA III grain moisture meter.

The excess moisture content of the grains leads to spoilage and poor grain quality, while over dried grains result to weight loss. These factors reduce the farmers’ chances of gaining additional income.

According to PHilMech, “farmers can now determine the amount of moisture present in their harvested grains and its price level in the market using the grain moisture meter.” Also, because of its accuracy the possible discrepancies in the moisture content reading can also be minimized.

At present, there are imported moisture meter available in the country through local distributors. The price ranges from 15,000 to 30,000 pesos per unit while the PHilMech grain moisture meter, costs around 12,000 pesos only.

Virgilio Gomez, manager of Macangcong Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Concepcion, Tarlac is one of the users of the SHEGA III grain moisture meter.

“This is very important for - this moisture meter. In the past, we used to guess on the moisture content of our grains, but it is different now because we can get an accurate reading of the moisture content of the corn or palay,” he said.

The PHilMech grain moisture meter is powered by four AA batteries, the measurement range for paddy is 10 to 26 percent MC on wet basis and 10 to 28 percent MC on wet basis for corn.

The technology can measure and get the average of 99 readouts and can store up to seven levels of memory.

For each measurement, about 150 grams of grains are required or just enough to fill the loading chamber that is placed above the testing chamber.
The loading chamber has a protruding plastic rod like a nail which is pushed down to flush the grains into the testing chamber.

The silver metal plate at the center of the testing chamber serves as the sensor which is connected to the main circuit of the moisture meter.

Other special features of the technology include, numeric and time indexed memory recording, auto-power off, commodity menu key control for palay and corn, self diagnostic and auto calibrating because it can detect system errors and show messages on-screen like ‘low battery’ or ‘recalibration needed’.

It has also a real time clock, casing with tactile key control, Gintong Ani melody and it is made from durable engineering plastic casing.

With this state-of-the-art but low cost technology, PHilMech assures that problems with the grains moisture content will be avoided to bring additional income to the farmers. (Erwin S. Embuscado)

Solar dryer for agri-fishery products pushed in the Philippines

NUEVA ECIJA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 5, 2010) - An agricultural agency in Munoz City in Nueva Ecija province in northern Philippines is promoting the use of solar dryer for agriculture and fishery products.

Officials of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization said they are promoting the technology known as Multi-Commodity Solar Tunnel Dryer or MCSTD.

The technology is used as an alternative to traditional sun drying practices of small-scale producers. Sun drying lessens the product quality and allows dust, flies and other microorganisms to enter the commodities being dried.

According to PHilMech, “the MCSTD was adapted from the Hohenheim University in Germany. It was modified to fit in the needs of potential adopter and to maximize solar power in postharvest operations.”

The MCSTD has three major components, the heat collector, drying chamber and fan or blower. The heat collector and drying chamber are covered with UV stabilized polyethylene plastic sheets which prevents the entry of flies and dust in the commodity being dried.

The five small direct current axial fans serve as the blower. The flooring is made of corrugated G.I sheet which also serves as tray rack in the drying chamber. One of the early adopter of the MCSTD is the Kababaihang Masigla ng Nueva Ecija, processor of agricultural and fishery products based in Ilog Baliuag village in Nueva Ecija's Quezon town.

KMNE dries tomato, tamarind, kamias, karamay, ginger, and tilapia danggit known as tilanggit. They also have rice wine and rice coffee.

At present, the group also developed new products in powdered form and used these as condiments. These include malunggay, mushroom, squash, saluyot, and turmeric. They have also luyang dilaw which is known for its medicinal benefits.

Vilma B. Joson, president of KMNE said “the MCSTD is an answer to my prayers, it's a blessing for the group.”

“Our products are all fruits in season and my problem is how to store these products to meet the market demands and the only way to do it is through drying,” Joson said.

Using the technology the drying time was reduced by 50 percent. Usually, it takes three to four days to dry tilanggit and six to seven days to dry tamarind. Drying can be completed in one to two days for tilanggit and three to four days for tamarind. This can still be shortened depending also on the heat of the sun.

Joson said: “We have mechanical dryers but these are only used during rainy season. I still prefer the MCSTD over conventional dryers because it dries efficiently and hygienically, it has low operating cost, and with the MCSTD we are assured that there will be no wastage.”

Other commodities like mango, banana, cassava, and seafoods like shrimp, squid, anchovy, danggit and espada are also dried using the MCSTD by other PHilMech collaborators other than the KMNE.

At present, KMNE has already established market linkage not only in the provinces, but also in Metro Manila.

Recently, the group was cited as the Outstanding Small and Micro Enterprise in Nueva Ecija awarded by the One Town, One Product Philippines and Department of Trade and Industry-Nueva Ecija Provincial Office.

The KMNE will also serve as a social laboratory which will train people interested to engage in fruit and tilanggit processing. (Erwin S. Embuscado - Special to the Mindanao Examiner)