MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has begun the transfer of the multi-commodity solar tunnel dryer (MCSTD) technology to Bangladesh.
In a statement, the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), an agency under the DA, said its engineer would be in Bangladesh for three weeks to train a local fabricator there to manufacture the MCSTD, including how to assemble, install, maintain, and repair it.
The dryer is delivered to a site disassembled.
After training the local fabricator, PhilMech will then train farmers and marginalized groups on how to use the dryer for agribusiness for another three weeks.
Genaro Tolentino, division chief of PhilMech, said the marginalized women in the farm and fisheries sectors stand to benefit from the technology.
The dryer uses heat from the sun to dry farm products, such as banana, cassava, small fish, kamias, mushroom, and tomatoes to extend their shelf life or produce processed food products.
Using the dryer avoids farm products from contamination through the traditional drying under the sun.
PhilMech’s technology transfer was facilitated by the Center on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), an intergovernmental organization of 15 member-states, including the Philippines.
CIRDAP is mandated to facilitate providing services, which will influence policy formation and programs for rural development and poverty alleviation. (Juzel Danganan/PNA)
