At least 95% of FBDs in seven regions fully functional

At least 95% of the flatbed dryers (FBDs) in seven regions that were distributed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech) are functioning and are ready to serve its intended recipients.

DA-PhilMech Executive Director Ricardo L. Cachuela said that contrary to earlier findings of a report issued by the Commission on Audit (COA), 95% of the FBDs in Central Luzon (Region 3), Bicol Region (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), Central Visayas (Region 7), Eastern Visayas (Region 8), Davao Region (Region 11) and SOCCSKSARGEN (Region 12) are fully functioning with very few units needing repairs.

The COA findings, which were based on field investigations during Calendar Year 2010, stated that in the seven aforementioned regions “62.38% of flatbed dryers installed and delivered (were) not operational”. During the same calendar year, COA observed that in Western Visayas (Region 6) most of the flatbed dryers “were 80% complete”, meaning these were still in the stage of construction or installation.

“We appreciate the findings of the COA based on Calendar Year 2010, and based on our latest field assessment as of August 2011, we are very happy to report that 95% of FBDs in the seven regions are functioning,” Cachuela said.

The seven regions have a total of 1,250 FBDs of which 95% or 1,194 are functioning, based on the assessment of DA-PhilMech as of August 2011.

The breakdown of the functioning units are Central Luzon (Region 3) 297 units functioning out of the 313 distributed; Bicol Region (Region 5) 203 functioning out of 227 distributed; Western Visayas (Region 6) all 188 units functioning; Central Visayas (Region 7) 33 units functioning out of 35 distributed; Eastern Visayas (Region 8) 208 units functioning out of 215 distributed; Davao Region (Region 11) 92 functioning out of 93 distributed; and SOCCSKSARGEN (Region 12) 173 functioning out of 179 distributed.

Aside from the support given by the DA Regional Field Units and concerned Local Government Units in establishing the FBDs, Cachuela said that farmer organizations should also be lauded for making most of the FBDs in the seven regions functioning.

“Achieving a 95% functionality level of the FBDs distributed in the seven regions also goes to show that farmer organizations can be trained to operate and maintain various types of farm machinery,” Cachuela said.

As for the FBDs that were not functioning numbering 53 units, various reasons were cited like damaged blower and/or engine, missing or stolen engine, and damage caused by typhoon.

In Central Luzon (Region 3), three units have been pulled out for relocation to another region where there are farmer organizations that are more than willing to operate and maintain. This is part of the sustainability plan crafted by PhilMech to ensure that these dryers will be put to use, including the continuous training of operators, rehabilitation of worn out parts and technical assistance.

Cachuela said that the primary benefit of the FBDs is farmers are able to sell their palay (unmilled rice) at dry season prices during the wet season. For example in the Visayas regions, palay with more than 14% moisture content fetches a price of only P7 per kilo during the wet season. On the other hand, palay dried to 14% moisture content using FBDs can fetch a price of P10 to P17 per kilo during the wet season.

“Without FBDs, farmers would not be able to sell their palay at higher prices during the heavy rains at harvest which has become more prevalent because of climate change,” he said. Dr. Rodolfo Estigoy, Director, Applied Communication Division, PhilMech