Farmers reap benefits of flat bed dryers

MANILA, Philippines - Rice farmers in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pangasinan and Pampanga whose newly-harvested rice crops were damaged by Typhoon “Ondoy” are reaping the benefits of the flat bed dryers distributed to them through irrigators associations by the Bureau of Post-harvest Research and Extension (BPRE), which is attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

According to BPRE, 335 units of flat bed dryers were distributed to irrigators associations in Region 1 and Region IV-B. These dryers can dry a volume of 6,080 tons of wet palay daily. A total of 1,188 units of the drying machines have already been installed in practically all producing regions of the country, the BPRE said.

It said in Nueva Ecija alone, a total of 88 units of flat bed dryers were distributed to rice farmers.

Ricardo L. Cachuela, BPRE executive director, said drying is the most critical post-harvest operation because of the possibility of spoilage and sprouting once the operations is delayed.

“Palay farmers will be saving billions of pesos every year if they use efficient drying facilities. Ang pagpapatuyo ng palay ay isa sa pinakamaselan na gawain matapos ang anihan. Ang porsyento ng nawawalang palay kung hindi wasto ang pagpapatuyo ay umaabot ng limang porsyento. Kung may inaaning 16.2 milyong metriko toneladang palay bawat taon, ang halaga ng nasasayang na palay ay mga P10 bilyon,” Cachuela said.

In his report to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Cachuela said the flat bed rice dryers were distributed to irrigators associations under the mechanical drying programs of BPRE in support to rice farm clusters. He said the program is in response to the lack of drying facilities especially during the rainy season.