Misamis Oriental – Ceremonial Turnover of 90 units of Portable Solar Drying Facility (PORTASOL) from the Department of Science and Technology to the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental (PGMO) on August 5, 2024 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds.
The Department of Science and Technology Region 10 (DOTS) thru its Misamis Oriental Science and Technology Center awards 90 units of Portasol Multi- purpose Solar Speed Dryer to the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental.
This project initiative is part of the expanded implementation of the DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program to attain increased productivity and enhanced food quality of agri-fishery products.
The 90 units of PORTASOL are the 2nd batch that will be provided by DOST to the PGMO for this intervention, a list of farmer/ fisherfolk associations per LGU are already identified as beneficiaries.
The PORTASOL is composed of thermal trays that are made of aluminum, a known good heat conductor that can either be laid down on an open field or assembled into racks. Each tray has a carrying capacity of 12.5 kg or 1/4 cavan of rice and has been proven to speed up the drying of palay up to three times faster than pavement drying.
The trays can also be used to dry other produce like vegetables, cacao, coffee, beans and fish.
The use of a plastic sheet cowered PORTASOL prevents pest infestation and allows storage ventilation by providing necessary breathing spaces between multi-tiers of stored grains to avoid the build-up of fungal mold, rot and mildew spoiling. ###
