Joint techno commercialization projects launched

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

The Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) recently launched two collaborative projects with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) on the commercialization of postharvest machines equipment which their engineers have developed.

The machines included the PhilRice B&S combine harvester, the FIDA mobile spindle stripping machine, and FIDA multi-fiber decorticating machine. 

 A copra moisture meter developed jointly with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the BPRE rice hull-fed furnace were also introduced.

BPRE executive director Ricardo L. Cachuela signed separate memorandum of agreement on the commercialization projects with PhilRice executive director Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian and FIDA administrator Cecilia Gloria J. Soriano.

The launching of the machines at the Bureau of Soil and Water Management was part of the 29th BPRE anniversary celebration.  A technology and investment forum, featuring corn mechanization technologies, cashew processing systems and controlled   atmosphere technology for mango export, was also held in the afternoon.

Representing Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap, DA assistant secretary Salvador Salacup presented certificates of commendation to PhilRice and FIDA on the development of their machines.   

He said postharvest machines and equipment are very important in preventing huge losses in agriculture and fisheries products.

The PhilRice combine harvester performs harvesting, threshing and bagging operations at the same time.  Dr. Eulito U. Bautista, who comes from Balungao, Pangasinan, led in its development.  A 1.3 meter model can harvest a hectare in one day, while a 1.7 meter model harvests 1.5 hectares a day.  Only four persons are needed for its continuous operation.  The harvester performs four operations at the same time – cutting, gathering, threshing, and bagging.  The bagger is seated behind the machine operator.

On the other hand, the FIDA mobile spindle stripping machine can strip 80 to 100 kg of abaca a day with a fiber recovery of 1.52 to 2.3 percent as well as excellent to good cleaning of fibers.  Two operators are needed for this machine.

The FIDA multi-fiber decorticating machine can be used on abaca, maguey, pineapple, and banana with a capacity per hour of 10 kg, 7 kg, 1.5 kg., and 3 kg, respectively. The fibers produced by the machine have excellent to good cleaning quality.  Two persons are also needed to operate the machine.

Cachuela also introduced the BPRE rice hull-fed furnace that has solved the problems of current furnace designs of dryers. The furnace system has automatic feeding of rice hull as well as synchronized removal of rice hull ash to facilitate continuous and uniform combustion.  This enables the furnace to operate with minimal manual attention, thereby minimizing the operator’s exposure to harmful dusts, heat and fumes.

The copra moisture meter was developed because coconut farmers are usually at the losing end whenever they sell their copra because traders estimate its moisture   content only by visual observation.  The PCA estimated that farmers lose 1,600 to 2,000 per hectare every year due to over estimated moisture of copra. 

Engr. Reynaldo P. Gregorio of BPRE developed the moisture meter through a grant of 58,000 provided by the PCA.

Even as five units of the first   prototype have been given to PCA for further   field testing, a new prototype is now being developed. The first prototype costs 2,000. Caparino said the cost of the second prototype may reach 3,500 but it will be much lighter and easier to use.  A similar imported moisture meter from Japan costs 35,000 to 42,000.

During the same occasion, copies of provincial post harvest development plans were also given to given to representatives of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/harvest-time/)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments