Agriculture
Akeanon young designer creates compact, sustainable palay drying system
The Philippines is vulnerable to tropical cyclones, with an average of 22 typhoons annually. During these natural disasters, which have increased through the years due to climate change, local farmers face the challenge of drying grains of rice. This impediment poses a significant impact on their livelihood, as well as on the agricultural industry in general.
“Around 408,764 metric tons of palay, which equates to 4.5 percent of the harvest in the Philippines, go to waste,” Flores lamented.
The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde graduate highlighted that while there are available facilities in the country, average farmers who do not have access to mass production equipment resort to the traditional sun drying method – a practice inadequate during prolonged rainfall or cloudy days.
“It degrades the quality of grain and reduces the income of our farmers,” he added. “The failure to reduce the moisture content from newly harvested grain results in mold infection and brings about spoilage.”
Under the mentorship of his college thesis adviser and then-course program chairperson Romeo Catap Jr., Flores engaged in months of research, which included a series of on-site observations as well as surveys and interviews with the farmers of Gerry Rice Mill from his home province in Lezo, Aklan.
He was likewise able to build a working prototype with the guidance from engineers Leon Garcia and Jaycee Billiones, with support from Benilde Industrial Design educators Johann Kristian Mangussad, Noel Nikko Cagurangan, and Marlon Barnuevo.
“Anihon offers continuous drying of palay for small farms and local cooperatives, who need a weather-independent, simple machine which contributes to reducing the risk associated with unpredictable weather conditions,” Flores a graduating student at the Dela Salle University said.
With Anihon, farmers can increase production in far-flung areas and communities, especially those who do not have access to mass dryers.
A first of its kind, it offers sustainable drying with its hybrid electric and used waste oil system. It reduces carbon emissions.
Anihon introduces user-centric features, to include oil gauges and intuitive button designs, as well as tempered glass for visibility of operations. This allows the machine to be easily managed even by one person.
Key components include four trays which can accommodate a maximum of 25 kilograms of wet palay each, plus a tank that can be filled with up to four liters of used cooking oil.
During power outages, Anihon can be used through its manual pugon (furnace) option with the help of an ignited carbon material.
Overall, it offers eight hours of continuous premium drying with precision that assures consistent moisture reduction for improved quality. It is time-efficient with the dryer’s rapid cycle and quick turnaround – perfect for small farms.
Flores submitted his proposal as a capstone project in the completion of his bachelor’s degree. After the thesis proper, he sent the machine home to Aklan, wherein the same farmers who took part in his study were able to utilize the equipment for their own production.
Currently, Flores is working to further enhance and develop his invention.
“There is a clear imperative to expand and accommodate different grain varieties – wheat, bean, maize, sunflower seeds, rapeseeds, sorghum seeds, and others – to meet the evolving needs of the agricultural farmers and the demands of the industry,” he stressed.
He likewise noted the need to further explore other sources of power, such as solar or wind, to adapt to the ever-changing sustainable and clean energy demands.
