TRADITIONALLY, most farmers have been drying their palay on the pavements of national roads and highways.
However, this practice has constantly placed the safety of motorists, as well as commuters, at risk.
This inefficient method is also one of the major causes of post-harvest losses which amount to billions of pesos.
With a firm determination to help alleviate the problem, a Filipino inventor designed a portable multi-purpose post-harvest solar speed-drying thermal tray which he called “Portasol.”
Francisco “Popoy” Pagayon says this will eradicate the persistent problem and will provide fast, safe, and clean solar dryers on any ground away from national highways and roads.
“Traditional drying is still being resorted to by the farmers in the countryside because the usual post-harvest solar dryers which are mere cement slabs are regularly turned into basketball courts or used for other purposes,” Pagayon said.
It can be recalled that even the Department of Public Works and Highways has banned the drying of palay and other farm produce along national highways under Department Order No. 41, Series of 2013.
The order says that in order to safeguard the motorists from any untoward accident, it is unlawful for any person to use any portion of a right-of-way, or to convert any part of a public highway, bridge, wharf, or trail for his own private use.
Pagayon’s invention is a very simple solution to an old problem and an immediate response to the need of most Filipino farmers of having a simple, easy, more effective and indigenous dryer that is expected to put an end to the country’s persistent post-harvest losses.
Pagayon, president of the Filipino Inventors Society Producers Cooperative (FISPC), says Portasol is expected to revolutionize the post-harvest system through a practical and affordable yet effective and efficient method.
Considerable ease and convenience can be achieved in collecting, re-sacking, and storing dried grains.
Aside from drying palay, this invention is practical and convertible, which can also be used in drying corn, beans, vegetables, fruits, and even fish.
Portasol can also prevent pest infestations, and allow storage ventilation by providing the necessary breathing space between multi-tiers of stored grains to avoid mold, rot, and mildew spoilage.
As an indication of confidence on the invention of Pagayon, even the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has tapped the use of Portasol to help the small fisherfolk living along the coastal area of Uyugan town in Batanes.
According to DOST Region 2 Director Sancho Mabborang, the invention of Pagayon is expected to help the small fishermen to increase the production of their native dried flying fish which they call “dibang.”
It was learned that the DOST in Region 2 provided at least two sets of Portasol trays, including a vacuum packaging machine and packaging materials worth some P500,000 under the DOST’s Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology.
Portasol, as a solar drying option for different crops and products, is expected to alleviate vehicular accidents caused by roadside palay and corn drying, and increase the income of the farmers. (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
