BPRE launches joint techno commercialization project

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

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

BPRE executive director Ricardo L. Cachuela signed separate agreements 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.

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. 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.

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.

In addition, copies of provincial postharvest development plans were given to given to representatives of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac.   – SOSIMO MA. PABLICO